In a dramatic interview scrum at the NFLs autumn meetings on Tuesday, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay labeled Snyders mistakes as owner, notably with workplace misbehavior, gravely disturbing.
I feel there is validity in removing him as owner of the [Commanders], Irsay remarked from the Conrad New York Downtown hotel lobby. There is some thought that he should be removed.
The Mary Jo White investigations into Washingtons years of alleged workplace misbehavior and financial improprieties under Snyder are at the heart of the problem, according to Irsay, who emphasized that the league could have a majority vote from owners to replace Snyder. White, a former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and former chairperson of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, is investigating the incident on behalf of the NFL.
The league needed 24 of the 32 owners to approve such a vote, which has never happened in the NFL. Irsay stated that there would be no vote at Tuesdays meetings and that owners need to know where the probe stands.
A recent ESPN investigation outlined the situation, portraying Snyders astute schemes against rival owners, including the use of private detectives to obtain dirt from their history.
Some of what Ive heard does not reflect us at all, Irsay remarked. I want the American public to understand what we stand for as owners. You cant avoid the reality that I feel its in the best interests of the National Football League to face this head-on and deal with it. Snyder addressed the ESPN article and denied using private detectives in a letter to fellow NFL owners.
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According to The Letter
Which was acquired by ESPN and dated Oct. 17, he informed his counterparts, That is plainly incorrect and meant to destroy the confidence and goodwill amongst owners, something I take extremely seriously. Ive never hired a private investigator to investigate any of the owners or the Commissioner. I have never directed or allowed my attorneys to employ a private investigator on my behalf for any reason. And Id never do it.
A vote to remove Snyder as the owner might take place as soon as the winter meetings, according to Irsay, who added that owners must get a complete and detailed status report.
Thats not what the National Football League stands for, he remarked. Owners, I believe, have been inaccurately depicted several times by various persons and situations. That is not our intention. A Commanders representative termed Irsays statements unacceptable, adding that the findings of current probes will lead Irsay to see Snyder in a more favorable light.
It is exceedingly improper, but not surprising, that Mr. Irsay chose to make public pronouncements based on media misinformation, a Commanders representative said in a statement. It is regrettable that Mr. Irsay chose to make his comments public today, while an inquiry is underway and the team has had no opportunity to react publicly to claims.
Over the last two years, the Commanders have made great development. We are convinced that once he has seen the true evidence in this case, Mr. Irsay will determine that the Snyders have no need to consider selling the franchise. And they will not.
Snyders problems, according to Irsay, have a long, long history, and the claims of workplace misbehavior date back more than a decade. Snyder began appearing before a congressional committee looking into the teams history in July. The hearing was not open to the public. Whites employment and financial inquiries are still underway.
According to Irsay
League owners should be updated much more extensively and unambiguously. While Irsay was unsure whether Snyder could be convinced to sell the club, he did say owners have full ability to fire him.
This has been presented to us, and we must act, Irsay added. To defend and provide a good example of what we want to be about. Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters here Tuesday night that he had little to no dialogue with ownership about the Snyder situation, owing in part to Whites ongoing probe.
The inquiry is underway. We didnt supply anything because we didnt have any According to Goodell. When Mary Jo White completes the inquiry, we will share it with the membership and publicly. I made it very plain to them that there is no cause for conjecture at this moment until we know the results of [the inquiry].
When asked if he was shocked by Irsays public stance, Goodell replied, No.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told ESPN that he was unaware Irsay would make his statements and that he intends to wait for the results of Whites inquiry before making any decisions. Anyone making any comments is premature, he remarked. We must adhere to the procedure.
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