Report: Investigation opened into Washington Commanders financial conduct

Washington Commanders fans are accustomed to controversy, scandal and off-the-field issues. Like clockwork as Ron Rivera attempts to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft, it’s just another day in the offseason involving investigations into owner Dan Snyder and non-football executives based on a new report

The latest update on Washington’s potential allegations concerning withholding money owed to other teams and the league from shared ticket revenue came in a Tuesday report from ESPN stating a high-ranking Virginia government official is now making this situation a focal point.

Longtime Washington Commanders beat writer John Keim released the new report on Monday afternoon. It states that Virginia attorney general Jason Miyares will investigate allegations of financial improprieties within the Washington Commanders organization. Specifically, the team is accused of retaining security deposits made by season-ticket holders, and of moving ticket revenue from Commanders games to non-NFL events which would equate to stealing from the other owners knowingly and purposefully.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a 20-page letter to the Federal Trade Commission regarding multiple allegations of financial shenanigans committed by the team.

Last week, the Washington Commanders responded with an 18-page letter that took direct aim at the credibility of former Commanders employee Jason Friedman.

Friedman, a former vice president of sales and customer service who worked for the NFL franchise for 24 years, accused the team of multiple offenses and is cooperating with authorities. witness providing information to support claims of misconduct.

Miyares has requested “full cooperation and transparency” from the team, according to the report.

Since news of the investigation and potential fraud from Snyder and company broke, the organization has taken a strong stance of total innocence.

Pete Hailey of NBC Sports Washington tweeted out the statement from the Washington Commanders, who strongly deny the accusations. 

“There has been absolutely no withholding of ticket revenue at any time by the Commanders,” the official statement from a team spokesperson said. “Those revenues are subject to independent audits by multiple parties. Anyone who has submitted testimony suggesting withholding of revenue has committed perjury, plain and simple.” 

NFL rules dictate that all teams share 40% of their ticket sales revenue with the visiting opponents.

“At least one person gave information in recent weeks to Congressional investigators that alleges the Commanders didn’t pass along the full 40%,” FOS reported. “It is not clear how long this alleged scheme ran for or who authorized it.”