It’s not getting quiet around the still-owner of the Washington Commanders, Dan Snyder. A report suggests the 58-year-old once used a “blackmail PowerPoint presentation” to influence his own sentence

The previous owner of the Washington Commanders, Dan Snyder, continues to make headlines.

According to “ESPN”, the 58-year-old has used a “blackmail PowerPoint presentation” to avoid being punished more severely for the wrongdoings of his franchise.

It is said to have been used at a June 2021 meeting between his lawyers and several other owners and league representatives on the occasion of commissioner Beth Wilkonson’s investigative report into allegations of sexual misconduct and toxic culture in the workplace.

It allegedly listed screenshots of emails and chat histories of several high-ranking league officials that would have been hugely embarrassing to the NFL if made public.

Blackmail works – Snyder allegedly helped determine punishment

While the content was reportedly not “sexist, homophobic or drastic”, the Snyder side had argued that the league was not in a position to reproach Snyder and the club for the problems at the Commanders.

Moreover, it had become clear that the news would go public if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell did not do Snyder’s bidding in dealing with the Wilkinson report and punishment.

It was a threat that reportedly worked. The results of the investigation were not made public and Washington was fined a comparatively small $10 million, while Snyder was not allowed to participate in the day-to-day running of the team for several months – the resulting void was filled by his wife Tanya.

In addition, the scandal-plagued entrepreneur is alleged to have been involved in publicising the racist email history that cost then Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden his job in October 2021.

Ingratiation with Goodell with Gruden emails?

Snyder’s goal was reportedly to give league boss Goodell the opportunity to “take out” his longtime opponent Gruden and thus improve Goodell’s attitude toward himself.

It is still not clear who finally published the emails, but “ESPN” attributes a leading role to Snyder.

However, this did not save him, as the US Congress launched its own investigation into the allegations against the capital club only a few weeks later.

When the other team owners vote on 20 July on the sale of the Commanders to the group around entrepreneur Josh Harris, the inglorious chapter of Snyder in the NFL should be over.