Dan Snyder, league respond to allegations of sexual harassment by former employees of Washington’s NFL team
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - The owner of Washington's NFL team and the league itself have responded to reports by The Washington Post that 15 female former employees of the city's NFL franchise said they were sexually harassed during their time with the team.
Team owner Dan Snyder discussed the article in a statement he released on Friday. "The behavior described in yesterday's Washington Post article has no place in our franchise or society," Snyder said. "This story has strengthened my commitment to setting a new culture and standard for our team, a process that began with the hiring of Coach Rivera earlier this year."
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
"Beth Wilkinson and her firm are empowered to do a full, unbiased investigation and make any and all requisite recommendations," Snyder's statement continued. "Upon completion of her work, we will institute new policies and procedures and strengthen our human resources infrastructure to not only avoid these issues in the future but most importantly create a team culture that is respectful and inclusive of all."
Also on Friday, the NFL released the following statement in response to the Post's article:
Washington Post reporter discusses harassment accusations against Washington’s NFL team
Washington Post reporter Les Carpenter discusses the paper’s report that says fifteen women allege sexual harassment and verbal abuse by former Washington football team employees at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia.
"These matters as reported are serious, disturbing and contrary to the NFL's values. Everyone in the NFL has the right to work in an environment free from any and all forms of harassment. Washington has engaged outside counsel to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations. The club has pledged that it will give its full cooperation to the investigator and we expect the club and all employees to do so. We will meet with the attorneys upon the conclusion of their investigation and take any action based on the findings."
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In a statement released on Thursday, the team said it takes issues of employee conduct seriously and added, "While we do not speak to specific employee situations publicly, when new allegations of conduct are brought forward that are contrary to these policies, we address them promptly."
Director of player personnel Alex Santos, assistant Richard Mann II and longtime broadcaster and senior vice president Larry Michael are no longer with the team. Michael announced Wednesday he was retiring after 16 years.
Analysis: Sexual harassment accusations against Washington football team
Sports agent and advisor Doug Eldridge spoke with FOX 5 regarding a Washington Post report that says fifteen women allege sexual harassment and verbal abuse by former Washington football team employees at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia.
Santos, Mann, Michael and former business executives Dennis Greene and Mitch Gershman were mentioned in the Post story.
Washington is in the midst of several months of significant change. President Bruce Allen was fired at the end of the 2019 season, coach Ron Rivera was hired on New Year's Day and given control of football operations and the team this week announced it's dumping the name "Redskins" after 87 years.
The Associated Press contributed to this article