Almost every NFL franchise fanbase has taken issue with its owner at some point or another, but only a few times has an owner been forced to sell or forced out of the NFL. For former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, it was actually both.
Snyder was already a successful businessman when he purchased the Washington Redskins and their stadium in 1999. Under his ownership, the team had a whopping five winning seasons in 23 seasons of ownership. His overall record was 164-220-2 and 2-6 in the postseason. The toxic workplace culture he created is suspected to have a direct impact on how the team performed under his ownership.
His toxic practices weren’t just felt in the building and on the field, though, fans were impacted as well. From increasing prices to fees for tailgating in certain parts of the parking lot to the banning of signs, Snyder’s fingerprints were everywhere.
In 2024, though, everything is different. The Commanders are having their best season since 1991 and Snyder hasn’t been part of any of it. Currently residing in London, England, and working to get rid of all of his US-based assets, many wonder what it’s like for him to watch from afar.
At a recent dinner with some associates, Snyder was subdued and said that he was enjoying a quiet existence. When one associate returned to the United States, a colleague asked him how Snyder felt about the Commanders’ success in 2024. “He f—ing hates it,” Snyder’s dinner companion told the colleague via Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN.
From his perspective, Snyder was a fan who bought the team he loved and was unable to see much success. Largely his own fault, Snyder was the piece that needed to go for the Commanders to move forward. And look at where they are now, getting ready to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship this Sunday.
Snyder can hate not being part of the success all he wants, but you can bet that no one in Washington cares.