Sale Of Daniel Snyder’s Washington Commanders In Jeopardy Due To John Gruden Email Scandal
Currently, it looks like there may be some significant obstacles in the way of Daniel Snyder’s proposed $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders to a consortium led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris. NFL owners will gather next week to vote on the proposed deal, but it appears there may be some substantial obstacles.
According to a story published on Thursday by The Washington Post, Snyder is hesitant to protect the league and other owners from losses that may arise from the Gruden lawsuit about the departure of the former Raiders coach as a result of hacked emails. Snyder does not ask the league or the other owners for indemnity.
Jon Gruden is still out for vengeance against the NFL. If he can stave off the NFL's effort to force his lawsuit to arbitration, he just might get it. https://t.co/yPSAtm5CUi
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 12, 2023
Jon Gruden’s Email Scandal
When the emails containing racist, homophobic, and sexist language were first leaked in 2021, Gruden claimed the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell of doing so on purpose to “publicly sabotage Gruden’s career.”
The lawsuit asserts that the plaintiffs presently do not know the identity of the 20 more defendants, but requests the court to modify the complaint once the plaintiffs learn their names.
🚨#RaiderNation I absolutely LOVE that Jon Gruden isn’t willing to take a settlement in regards to the lawsuit with the NFL. He’s ready to expose Roger Goodell & other owners of the league and I am here for it. This is just the beginning. #NFL⚓️ pic.twitter.com/HsO4GQ6ttz
— SniperJones🏴☠️🎙🇨🇴 (@RaiderSniper) July 16, 2023
Attorneys for the coach said in the case that the defendants’ treatment of Gruden constituted “a Soviet-style character assassination.” “There was no warning and no process. Defendants held the emails for months until they were leaked to the national media in the middle of the Raiders’ season in order to cause maximum damage to Gruden.”
For each of the seven relief claims, Gruden is requesting damages in excess of $15,000 and is demanding that any compensatory damages granted be at least double.
VERY INTERESTING: Former Las Vegas #Raiders head coach Jon Gruden intends “to burn the [#NFL’s] house down,” per @SethWickersham and @DVNJr of ESPN.
Gruden has always disliked liked the Commissioner and the league office, including during Covid when he and his close friend Sean… pic.twitter.com/8B8jzgqf7G
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 12, 2023
The Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure state that anybody seeking damages in a case for more than $15,000 should just ask for damages “in excess of $15,000 without further specification of the amount.”
How Jon Gruden’s lawsuit could delay Dan Snyder’s Sale
According to a person familiar with the discussions, Snyder’s lawyers are arguing that Snyder shouldn’t be held legally liable for the acts of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and league lawyer Jeff Pash.
My latest for ESPN, with @SethWickersham: EXCLUSIVE: 'He was free and clear': How the leak of Jon Gruden's email led to the fall of Commanders owner Dan Snyder. https://t.co/vgtXIuRCZz
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) July 12, 2023
All of the Commanders‘ current owners are okay with the league being indemnified “for any damages arising from the actions of the owners and the team,” according to a person with knowledge of the conversation between the Commanders and the NFL, but the agreement would not apply to Goodell and Pash.
Complications in the purchase have been called “significant” and “not just some small snag,” and it now appears that the approval of the sale from other owners and subsequent closing of the deal might be delayed.
The Commanders will likely have a new owner next week. https://t.co/b5WJdDNx6p
— Commanders Wire (@Washington_Wire) July 13, 2023
On the other hand, it is also acknowledged that there is a chance that this might just be a ruse by Snyder and his legal team in an effort to obtain some sort of insurance from the NFL in relation to Gruden’s case against the league.
Regardless, we will have a resolution as owners are scheduled to meet on Thursday.
Stephen A Smith raises $100 million Jon Gruden question over Dan Snyder's 'Blackmail Powerpoint' https://t.co/nidV8uHwap
— Pamela Taylor (@joshmom1) July 16, 2023
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