NFL owners are expected to convene next week to vote on the final sale of the Washington Commanders from current owner Dan Snyder.
An investment group led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris is expected to spend $6.05 billion to acquire the storied franchise.
However, according to a report from The Washington Post, the sale faces major legal issues in its final days relating to the NFL investigation into Snyder and the fallout that led to the Las Vegas Raiders firing former head coach Jon Gruden.
“According to one of the people with knowledge of the deliberations, the complications are related at least in part to legal issues pertaining to the leaking of emails that led to the October 2021 resignation of Jon Gruden as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders,” The Post reported.
Whether this is a power play by Snyder to squeeze a few more concessions from the NFL in the closing hours is unknown.
“That person described the complications as ‘significant’ and ‘not just some small snag,’ expressing the view that the issues could delay the owners’ approval of the sale and the closing of the deal if they’re not resolved,” The Post noted.
“But the person also left open the possibility that Snyder and his attorneys merely are attempting to extract last-minute concessions from the NFL on legal indemnification related to Gruden’s lawsuit against the league, and the issues will be resolved in time for the owners to ratify the deal as expected next Thursday.”
Snyder is reportedly not seeking indemnification from the other owners for his own liability but is unwilling to indemnify the league and other owners from liability relating to the Gruden case.
According to The Post, Snyder’s lawyers don’t think he should be liable for any actions taken by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in connection with that case.
Only time will tell how it all plays out, especially since the NFL definitely wants to rid itself of Snyder.
The NFL world was quick to react to the news:
A solid follow to our exclusive story about the Gruden email leaks. Dan Snyder was never going to go away quietly. https://t.co/rNZgVMNPQy
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) July 13, 2023
If there was any doubt Goodell needs to go, it is his actions (and Jeff Pash's) related to the release of Gruden's email that the Commanders are not willing to indemnify, specifically Snyder's sister. Goodell and Pash are liabilities at least until Gruden's case is resolved. https://t.co/MNd1wKpAWq pic.twitter.com/wJUvZcPTkd
— Colin (whats the year one cash?) Dunphy (@mofopod) July 13, 2023
Is this yet another fumble at the 1-yard line? Is Snyder at the bottom of the pile poking someone's eyes out to try and steal the ball or do we have competent refs who can make the right call? For God's sake, Snyder, take your billions and GTFO! #HTTC https://t.co/2HGsMBZnE1
— Coq Inu 🐓 (@mtharp11) July 13, 2023
The year is 2050. 85-year-old Dan Snyder takes Baby Gronk Jr. with the 1st pick in the draft & drops some cyborg-phobic slurs at the presser.
GoodellBot 6000 forces him to sell, but the prospective new owner crashes his flying car on the way to closing, team goes back to Snyder. https://t.co/pwbR376PNg
— Sam Franco (@samjfranco) July 13, 2023
"That person also said Daniel Snyder no longer is willing to sign an affidavit that he did not leak the emails that led to Gruden’s resignation, after previously being willing to do so." https://t.co/ArdPf3Krqe
— Ben Fischer (@BenFischerSBJ) July 13, 2023
