Throughout the tip of 2020 and into 2021, each the investigation into Washington’s office tradition and the N.F.L.’s mediation of the possession dispute proceeded extra quietly. In March, the N.F.L. tentatively authorised an settlement through which Snyder can be allowed to tackle extra debt than the league historically permits to be able to purchase out his three companions. It was an indication that the skin investigation, whereas not but full, would largely exonerate Snyder personally.
Three months later, in July, that was precisely what occurred. The N.F.L. lastly resolved the yearlong investigation. The Washington Football Team was ordered to pay a $10 million superb and reimburse the price of the investigation, and Snyder stated he would cede day-to-day management of the crew to a brand new co-chief government, his spouse, Tanya Snyder. The crew’s human sources division was ordered to be monitored for the subsequent two years.
But the investigation’s findings weren't made public, and nothing was stated about allegations about Snyder’s habits towards feminine staff. Not solely did the N.F.L. not launch a radical report, it didn't even ask for one. Instead, Beth Wilkinson, the lead exterior investigator, briefed the N.F.L. on her findings orally.
“We felt it was best due to the sensitivity of the allegations and the requests for confidentiality,” Lisa Friel, the N.F.L. government in command of investigations, advised reporters.
Part of the investigation, nevertheless, concerned the overview of the emails despatched and obtained by Bruce Allen, the crew’s longtime common supervisor and president, and a detailed confidant of Snyder, till Allen was fired in 2019. The overview of Allen’s inbox and outbox is what in the end led to Gruden’s resignation, and confirmed that Allen participated in inappropriate and offensive conversations, together with the sharing of pornographic photographs.
Allen was a senior government with the Raiders throughout Gruden’s first stint as the pinnacle coach there, within the late Nineties and early 2000s, and each finally went to work for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the place they received a Super Bowl following the 2002 season. Both left the crew in 2008. Gruden went on to work for ESPN as a coloration analyst for “Monday Night Football,” and Allen was finally employed by Washington. As common supervisor there, Allen employed Gruden’s brother, Jay Gruden, who coached the crew from 2014 to 2019.
