The Washington Commanders issued a defiant response Wednesday night to the DC attorney general’s plans to “make a major announcement” related to the team.
ESPN reported earlier on Wednesday that AG Karl Racine’s office emailed reporters about a press conference on Thursday. There’s no mention of the subject matter, but controversial team owner Dan Snyder and the Commanders have been involved in a criminal investigation for months, as well as a league investigation for allegations of sexual harassment, misogyny, and financial fraud.
The Commanders issued a statement that began with a reference to crime in the city, including the shooting that injured rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. in late August.
A Commanders spokesperson just issued this statement in light of D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine and his office scheduling a news conference "to make a major announcement related to the [team]" tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/HWYvdmzRY9
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 9, 2022
“Despite the out-of-control violent crime in DC, today the Washington Commanders learned for the first time on Twitter that the D.C. Attorney General will be holding a press conference to ‘make a major announcement’ related to the organization tomorrow,” the release read.
The release noted that the Commanders have fully cooperated with the investigation for nearly a year.
“It is unfortunate that, in his final days in office, Mr. Racine appears more interested in making splashy headlines, based on offbeat legal theories, rather than doing the hard work of making our streets safe for our citizens, including bringing to justice the people who shot one of our players.”
The Commanders franchise appears to be up for sale as Snyder has made inquiries into selling the team. A few potential buyers have emerged.
Many in the NFL world reacted with disbelief to the Commanders’ response to the attorney general.
“Just when you think Dan Snyder can’t sink any lower, the man reminds you why he is one of the biggest scumbags to ever walk earth,” tweeted Tyler Conway.
I can't believe this is a team-issued statement. https://t.co/JJ7Qol0GZQ
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 10, 2022
Gross, exploitative whataboutism. https://t.co/CGtSHgcoIV
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 9, 2022
just when you think Dan Snyder can't sink any lower, the man reminds you why he is one of the biggest scumbags to ever walk earth https://t.co/QDvLih6Q8l
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) November 9, 2022
What an utterly vile organization. https://t.co/yJUjNGiUIa
— japersrink.bsky.social (@JapersRink) November 9, 2022
way to leverage your 23-year-old RB who, as you noted, was shot multiple times, to offset your legal troubles.
launch the commanders into the SUN. PLEASE @nfl. https://t.co/nJhqozI6a4
— Kate Magdziuk (@katemagdziuk) November 10, 2022
From the producers of Sean Taylor's surprise jersey-retirement ceremony comes… whatever the hell this is. https://t.co/beAxdxbjxA
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) November 9, 2022
Wow. Commanders employees desperately trying to get fired before the bad news comes out https://t.co/niMSSKO4Fy
— DJ Bean (@DJ_Bean) November 9, 2022
