It appears to be only a matter of time before Dan Synder finally sells the Washington Commanders. It’s hard to find anyone who likes him or has enjoyed his ownership of the proud NFL franchise, including some of its legendary players.
No stranger to lawsuits or accusations of financial impropriety, Snyder has been sued by Washington legends Joe Jacoby, Mark May, John Riggins, John Dean, and Doc Walker over copyright compensation claims related to “The Hogs” legacy.
The Hogs were a nickname given to the offensive line of the franchise now known as the Washington Commanders during the 1980s and early 1990s. The team won three Super Bowls in that era (XVII, XXII, and XXVI and the Hogs were a critical component of how the team defined itself. Some of the team’s most prominent fan groups and blogs incorporate the Hog name even now.
Can’t make this up – original Hogs suing the Commanders. Wow. Riggins, Jacoby. This is real. pic.twitter.com/NoazjEBXdd
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) December 26, 2022
The aforementioned former players in the lawsuit were all part of that legacy and, per the lawsuit, they feel that “Dan Snyder and the Washington Commanders are trying to profit off the original Hogs legacy by taking that trademark and associated goodwill and brand equity of the original Hogs.
“The Commanders are using the original Hogs brand for commercial purposes with NO compensation to the men who’s [sic] blood & sweat equity built the original Hogs brand 40 years ago.”
The lawsuits just before the Commanders are inviting back members of the Hogs’ offensive lines as well as former head coach Joe Gibbs. The franchise is also welcoming back The Hogettes, a group of fans who would dress up in women’s dresses, garden party hats, and pig snouts. The ceremony coincidentally comes as the franchise gets ready to introduce a new mascot, which many are assuming will be hog-related as well.
The Hogettes will make their first appearance at FedEx Field since the 2012 season as the Commanders honor The Hogs Sunday. Joe Gibbs is slated to be there as honorary captain.
The team will also unveil its new mascot at halftime. Would be weird if they chose a dog over a hog. https://t.co/DIvAkahEYk pic.twitter.com/ncmMKbnP2a
— Jake Russell (@_JakeRussell) December 26, 2022
O-Line Entertainment, the group formed by Jacoby, May, Riggins, Dean, and Walker, has put in an application to trademark “Hogs” and “Original Hogs.” Their application was filed on July 22nd but is still pending.
It appears that Synder is trading on the goodwill of former players and fans to do the bare minimum while also making a buck, which, to be fair, sounds exactly like Dan Synder.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.