The Commanders revenue sharing investigation exposed one of the ugliest chapters of the Dan Snyder era. That’s saying something given the track history.
On July 20, 2023 – the same day NFL owners approved the sale of the team to Josh Harris – the league released a detailed report from investigator Mary Jo White. The report confirmed that the Commanders had improperly withheld approximately $11 million in revenue that should have been shared with the other 31 teams.
How the Scheme Worked
According to the investigation, team executives used several methods to reduce the amount of money owed under the NFL’s revenue-sharing system. They reclassified ticket and game-day revenue as income from non-NFL “special events.” They also under-reported ticket prices and moved funds between accounts to keep money off the league’s books.
Former ticket executive Jason Friedman had first raised these allegations publicly. The White report sustained his claims. Investigators identified roughly $11 million that was clearly shielded. They also flagged an additional $44 million in transfers from shareable accounts that they could not fully quantify because the team failed to cooperate fully.
Snyder’s Role
The report stopped short of saying Dan Snyder personally ordered every accounting maneuver. However, it found that he was aware of and supported efforts to minimize revenue sharing.
Witnesses described a culture focused on squeezing every possible dollar. Documents about the reclassified revenue were shared with Snyder on at least one occasion.
The Penalty
These financial findings formed a major part of the $60 million fine the NFL levied against Snyder as he exited ownership. It remains the largest fine ever imposed on an NFL owner. The penalty covered both the revenue-sharing violations and separate findings of workplace misconduct.
The Commanders revenue sharing investigation closed one of the many ugly stories of Snyder’s 24-year ownership.
It showed a franchise willing to bend league rules for financial gain, even as it prepared for a record-breaking sale.