Which Washington Commanders news stories are hitting the headlines as the one final hurdle before sale confirmation was finally accomplished?
The clock is ticking and it won't be much longer before the Washington Commanders fall under new ownership. Based on the reports surfacing on Monday evening, it seems as if there are no more potential roadblocks before other NFL owners usher in the Josh Harris group's era on July 20.
Until then, among the stories generating column inches recently include another lawsuit for the Commanders, Dan Snyder giving up, the sale taking another major leap forward, and Josh Harris ready to hit the ground running.
Let's delve into each topic in more detail.
Josh Harris ready to rock with Commanders
There was a collective sigh of relief across the Washington Commanders fanbase when the NFL's finance commitee unofficially rubber-stamped thhe $6.05 billion franchise sale to Josh Harris' ownership group. According to Nicki Jhabvala and Mark Maske from The Washington Post, everything should be finalized before the start of training camp next week.
This would allow Harris and his wealthy team of investors to go through with their wish of putting boots on the ground at camp. While this is probably a distraction Ron Rivera doesn't need heading into such an important art of the preparation period, it comes with the territory.
What Rivera should also prepare himself for is immediate conversations with Harris and memberof of is consortium. These will center on what needs to be done immediately, their vision for the future, and whether all aprties can co-exist in the short and long-term.
High stakes, indeed.
Commanders sale unofficially approved
While there was a sense of nervousness about Dan Snyder making one final power play to potentially delay the sale, everything has proceeded without a hitch. And the latest development indicates that the end of the road has officially arrived.
According to Nicki Jhabvala and Mark Maske from The Washington Post, the NFL's finance committee gave their recommendation to approve the $6.05 billion transaction to remove Snyder from the equation for good. These are normally adhered to by other owners, which is expected to be the case when they meet for a formal vote on July 20.
The two reporters stated that once the vote concludes, everything should proceed quickly thereafter. Josh Harris and his ownership group will take charge of the Commanders as early as Friday (July 21), with the Mary Jo White report relating to toxic workplace culture within the organization under Snyder's watch set to be released soon after.
This is exactly what Commanders fans wanted to hear. Especially considering there was a sense of trepidation last week following reports of potential complications regarding indemnification relating to the Jon Gruden email leaks - something Snyder still denies making public.
All of this is inconsequential for the team's long-suffering supporters. They want Snyder gone and a prosperous new era of hope to begin - and there is only a few short days to wait before their dreams come true.
Commanders facing another lawsuit
One parting shot for Dan and Tanya Snyder arrived on Monday and it had nothing to do with their departure later this week. According to multiple reports, former employee Jason Friedman is suing the team on defamation claims in Virginia, seeking $7.5 million in damages and a further $350,000 in punitive damages.
Friedman has asked for a jury trial after taking the measures at Loudoun County District Court on July 7. This stems from his testimony to the House Oversight Committee regarding toxic workplace culture within the Commanders and financial improprities that were adamantly denied by Snyder to the point of character assassination that led to this point.
The lawsuit claimed via John Keim of ESPN stated that the accusations leveled at Friedman by the Commanders caused irreparable damage to his reputation. It also led to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
"The Team responded to Mr. Friedman's allegations of financial improprieties by repeatedly and publicly calling him a liar, accusing him of committing the federal crime of perjury, and falsely implying that he was terminated as part of the Team's sexual harassment scandal that was being widely reported in the press. The Team's false statements about Mr. Friedman, which it has repeated or caused to be repeated in various public forums, have devastated him personally and professionally: [H]e suffers from severe anxiety and depression, will require ongoing medical treatment, and has been unable to find a comparable job due to the Team's deliberate and malicious destruction of his reputation."Jason Friedman lawsuit via ESPN
Snyder is walking away this week and has reportedly resolved any remaining legal issues. So it remains to be seen what comes from Friedman's lawsuit.
Outgoing Commandes owner Dan Snyder concedes defeat
Dan Snyder's stubbornness was not enough to risk more than $6 billion. Whether his long-suffering wife had anything to do with his willingness to remove any unnecessary complications before the sale vote is anyone's guess, but the most important thing for Washington Commanders fans is that we are almost at the finish line.
Nicki Jhabvala and Mark Maske of The Washington Post revealed that any remaining issues between Snyder and the NFL have been resolved. While the information wasn't readily available regarding any compromises that were reached during discussions, the common goal remained the same and is now well within sight.
What was perhaps more telling was the fact Snyder has now spoken to Mary Jo White as part of her investigations into Washington's toxic workplace culture. Something he's been reluctant to do previously.
As previously stated, the report is set to be released soon after the sale becomes official. Whether Snyder faces any repercussions given he'll be on his lavish yacht somewhere in Europe by that point is another matter.
Snyder's seemingly loved causing influential NFL figures to sweat over recent months. But do you know what the billionaire loves more than that?
Money.
That's why he's given up the ghost and agreed to end his turbulent 24 years as owner. A spell that will undoubtedly go down as one of the worst stints in North American sports history.