The Washington Chiefs are just one win away from reaching Super Bowl Lix as they head to Philadelphia to face their NFC East-rival Eagles in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
It’s been more than a quick turnaround for this franchise, as quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team’s No. 2 overall selection, and the new coaching staff led by Dan Quinn has completely revitalized the Commanders to the point where they could compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans next month.
But one person in particular doesn’t seem to be watching this incredible NFL story unfold. That’s because he used to own the team.
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Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder on the field before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. (Tim Heitman-USA Today Sports)
ESPN reports Dan Snyder, the disgraced former owner of the Chiefs, doesn’t like to see the franchise succeed without him.
The report states that during a dinner with associates in London, where he mostly lives now, the commanders were naturally brought up in conversation. When one of those associates returned to the States, a colleague of theirs asked what Snyder thought of the team, which also had a first-year GM in Adam Peters, building a roster that was playing well at that point in the regular season.
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“He f—ing hates it,” Snyder’s employee told the colleague.
Snyder sold the commanders on tough, as significant workplace culture scandals, including sexual harassment and a toxic work environment, were on public display. An NFL investigation was conducted which resulted in findings supporting the claims, leading to pressure from all directions to sell.
Snyder eventually sold the franchise, which he had controlled since May 1999, for a record $6 billion to Josh Harris and a group of limited partners that includes David Blitzer, who jointly own the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Magic Johnson is also in the ownership group.
While he did not want to sell the franchise, Snyder was pressured by his co-owners, with whom he was not on good terms in the first place. There were even reports in 2022 that Snyder had told some close associates that he had dirt on commissioner Roger Goodell and co-owners, including the Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones.
Washington Chiefs owners Tanya Snyder, left, and Dan Snyder on the field before the Dallas Cowboys’ defeat of the Washington Chiefs, 25-10, at AT&T Stadium on October 2, 2022, in Arlington, TX. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“They can’t f— with me,” Snyder reportedly said, according to ESPN.
But the sale went through after Harris brought on about 20 partners to line up the capital, and the veteran sports team owner tried to change the culture within the team on all fronts. And it seems to be going faster than expected on the performance aspect.
It appears that Peters and the rest of the organization hit the nail on the head with Daniels, the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU, who has shown poise, leadership and clutch play to go along with what is evident on the gridiron: A dual-threat quarterback who has quickly become a star.
The Commanders didn’t just go 12-5 during the regular season to earn a wild card spot, and they didn’t just take down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road to win their first playoff game since 1999, the year Snyder bought THE team. They had the upset of the year, dropping 45 points on the Detroit Lions to beat the NFC’s No. 1 seed on the road at Ford Field, shocking a team many thought was destined for New Orleans.
Washington is looking for its first Super Bowl appearance since 1991, a game they won after going 14-2 during the regular season. While the Chiefs are focused on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in a third meeting with the Eagles this season, the future is certainly bright with this being only the first year of a brand new regime.
Meanwhile, ESPN reports that Snyder has sold his American real estate and is conducting most of his business from the United Kingdom. They also have sources saying he wants to buy into a Premier League Soccer Club, but he is not expected to own a sports team anytime soon.
Team co-owner Dan Snyder speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football team’s name change to Washington officials at FedExfield on February 2, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ESPN adds that Snyder is “in denial” about what led to the pressure to sell, and a person close to him says he has “sadness — for himself.”
“It’s killing him … It’s devastating him,” the person said.
Commanders kick off against Saquon Barkley and the Eagles on Sunday at 15 to determine who will represent the NFC in Super Bowl Lix.
