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Washington's professional football franchise had already been under fire in recent weeks concerning the team name. It seems the Washington Redskins team name is just the tip of the iceberg for owner Dan Snyder.
On Thursday, Will Hobson and Liz Clarke of the Washington Post published an article detailing a history of misconduct and sexual harassment within the organization.
The story also went into Snyder as an owner, with numerous persons claiming he played a big role in facilitating an adversarial culture. Snyder reportedly “belittled” executives and understaffed the human resources department.
Former team VP of communications Julia Payne gave more insight (via Hobson and Clarke):
“I have never been in a more hostile, manipulative, passive-aggressive environment … and I worked in politics,” said Julia Payne, former assistant press secretary in the Clinton Administration who briefly served as vice president of communications for the team in 2003.
Payne did not witness or endure sexual harassment, she said, but she supported what many other former employees said about the culture under Snyder.
“With such a toxic, mood-driven environment, and the owner behaving like he does,” said Payne, “How could anyone think these women would go to HR?”
It hardly seems like a good sign the team's culture was so negative as far back as 17 years ago, considering Snyder rules with something of an iron fist.
Over a dozen women alleged sexual harassment by former employees and even members of Snyder's inner circle.
Unfortunately, it is not a surprise to hear about Snyder's place in building a “toxic” environment. This is the same man who said the team would previously “never” change its name from the “Redskins,” despite it being a clear and obvious slur against Native Americans.
The team has retired the name, though Snyder made it clear in his statement they were doing so mostly due to corporate pressures from sponsors.
Washington's minority owners were already preparing to sell their respective shares (amounting to 40 percent) of the team. But perhaps Snyder himself is in danger.