— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 27, 2020
After more disturbing allegations came out on Wednesday morning alleging that Washington team owner Dan Snyder was at the center of many sexual harassment incidents in the team’s building, the team’s PR staff released a statement condemning this, and saying that they take the matter very seriously and will do everything they can to make sure that the situation is dealt with the right way going forward.
Unfortunately, this directly contradicts the statement that Snyder released himself earlier in the day, calling the report from The Washington Post “a hit job” that are not based in facts and outdated by 10 to 20 years.
Statement from Dan Snyder in response to the allegations in today’s Washington Post: pic.twitter.com/vuvfUAO4q0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2020
Whether you believe Snyder or not, the biggest problem is that the two separate entities, which are supposed to be working together on a matter of this magnitude of importance, had such a stark difference in messaging. While Washington said that they encouraged all employees with any information to come forward and report this, so that they can get to the bottom of the incidents, Snyder disregarded the allegation entirely and expressed frustration with a former cheerleader who didn’t bring the complaints to management.
There are undoubtedly going to be several more wrinkles in this story as the weeks and months go on, but it’s a terrible look for Washington and Snyder right off the bat.
