NFL clubs today unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders to Josh Harris and his limited partners at a special league meeting in Minneapolis.
Statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:
“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners. Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities. The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties and we welcome them to the NFL as well.
“I met Josh several years ago, prior to his acquisition of an interest in the Steelers and have been fortunate to get to know him better over the past few months. I know he has a commitment to winning on the field, but also to running an organization that everyone will be proud of -- and to making positive contributions in the community."
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Allegations Substantiated by Independent Investigator Mary Jo White
The NFL today released the findings of the independent investigation conducted by former U.S. Attorney and SEC Chair Mary Jo White and her colleagues from Debevoise & Plimpton into allegations of misconduct and financial improprieties made by former employees of the Washington Commanders.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appointed Ms. White as the independent investigator immediately following allegations against Commanders owner Daniel Snyder made by former Commanders employee Tiffani Johnston at a Congressional roundtable in February 2022.
The Commissioner expanded Ms. White's review in April 2022 to include alleged financial misconduct at the club, after those allegations were first raised before a Congressional committee.
Ms. White and her colleagues conducted a comprehensive and independent investigation over 17 months that included interviews with dozens of witnesses, sometimes on multiple occasions, a review of over 10,000 documents, and assistance from a team of forensic accountants.
“We appreciate the diligence, thoroughness and professionalism of Ms. White and her team throughout this process," said Commissioner Goodell. “We pledged to share her findings publicly and are doing so today."
Ms. White's findings and basis of findings may be found here.
Mr. Snyder will pay $60 million to the league in resolution of Ms. White's findings and all outstanding matters.
“The conduct substantiated in Ms. White's findings has no place in the NFL," said Commissioner Goodell. “We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What Ms. Johnston experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL's values."
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NFL Training Camps Open This Week
NFL clubs this week begin on-field preparations for the 2023 season. The defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, who host Detroit in the league’s annual primetime kickoff game on September 7 (8:20 PM ET, NBC), are one of nine teams with rookies reporting today, along with Atlanta, Baltimore, Buffalo, the Los Angeles Chargers, Miami, New Orleans, the New York Giants and San Francisco.
The New York Jets, with rookies and veterans reporting on July 19, and Cleveland Browns, with rookies reporting on July 19 and veterans reporting on July 21, will be the first two clubs with their entire teams on-site. The two franchises are set to meet in the NFL/Hall of Fame Game on August 3 (8:00 PM ET, NBC) in Canton, OH. For every club except Cleveland, Detroit (July 22), Kansas City (July 22), the New York Jets and Pittsburgh (July 26), veterans will report on Tuesday, July 25.
For the third-consecutive year, all 32 clubs will kick off Training Camp by holding practices with club-led fan events and NFL Network and NFL+ will provide complete coverage of the action. New this year for the start of Training Camp, celebrations will expand to two days – Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 – becoming Training Camp: Back Together Weekend Presented by YouTube. Beginning at 9:00 AM ET on July 29, NFL Network will provide 12 hours of live coverage with over 50 on-air talent as teams across the league hit the field. NFL Network's continuing coverage of Training Camp - Inside Training Camp Presented by Old Spice – will air through Wednesday, August 9 providing eight hours of live coverage beginning each day at 10:00 AM ET.
In a growing trend, 27 clubs have scheduled joint practices with other teams, beginning with Atlanta and Miami at Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, FL, and the New York Giants and Detroit at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI, on August 8. Miami and Detroit are among the 13 that will practice against multiple opponents, along with Green Bay, Houston, Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, the New York Jets, Philadelphia and Tennessee.
Seven clubs will be spending camp away from their facilities – Buffalo (St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY), Carolina (Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC), Dallas (Marriott Residence Inn in Oxnard, CA), Indianapolis (Grand Park in Westfield, IN), Kansas City (Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO), the Los Angeles Rams (University of California, Irvine) and Pittsburgh (Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA).
Excluding 2020, the 25 clubs (78 percent) that are opting to "stay home" this summer trails only 2021 for the most such teams since 2000. Teams considered to be "staying home" hold camp at their respective practice facility, home stadium or at a site within 10 miles of their team headquarters. In 2000, only 10 of 31 (32 percent) teams stayed close to home.
