NFL responds to sexual harassment allegations against Washington club
Posted July 17, 2020 9:41 am.
Last Updated July 17, 2020 10:21 am.
WASHINGTON, DC — Sexual harassment allegations against the Washington, D.C. franchise are serious and contrary to the NFL’s values, the league says.
According to reports, 15 female former employees of the city’s NFL franchise said Thursday they were sexually harassed during their time with the team.
“These matters as reported are serious and contrary to the NFL’s values,” says a release from the NFL. “Everyone in the NFL has the right to work in an environment free fro any and all forms of harassment.”
The league says the Washington franchise has engaged outside counsel to conduct an investigation into the allegations.
“The club has pledged that it will give its full cooperation to the investigator and we expect the club and all employees to do so. We will meet with the attorneys upon the conclusion of their investigation and take any action based on the findings.”
— NFL (@NFL) July 17, 2020
In a statement, the Washington team said it takes issues of employee conduct seriously.
“While we do not speak to specific employee situations publicly, when new allegations of conduct are brought forward that are contrary to these policies, we address them promptly.”
Owner committed to improving culture
Washington NFL owner Dan Snyder said Friday he’s committed to improving the culture inside the team after allegations of sexual harassment, while the league will wait for a law firm’s review before taking action.
He hired District of Columbia law firm Wilkinson and Walsh to conduct an independent review of team policies, culture and allegations of workplace misconduct. The league said in a statement it will meet with lawyers after the investigation is complete and will act based on the findings.
Snyder also pledged to make organizational changes.
“Beth Wilkinson and her firm are empowered to do a full, unbiased investigation and make any and all requisite recommendations,” Snyder said. “Upon completion of her work, we will institute new policies and procedures and strengthen our human resources infrastructure to not only avoid these issues in the future but most importantly create a team culture that is respectful and inclusive of all.”
He said the commitment to establishing a new culture and higher standard began with the hiring of Ron Rivera as coach this year. Rivera told The Athletic he was brought in to change the culture and “create an environment of inclusion.”
Front office changes
Meanwhile, three members of the front office are no longer with the organization, and owner Dan Snyder hired a District of Columbia law firm to review the club’s culture, policies, and allegations of workplace misconduct. Beth Wilkinson of Wilkinson Walsh LLP confirmed to The Associated Press that the firm had been retained to conduct an independent review.
Director of player personnel Alex Santos, assistant Richard Mann II, and longtime broadcaster and senior vice president Larry Michael are no longer with the team. Michael announced Wednesday he was retiring after 16 years.
Washington is in the midst of several months of significant change.
President Bruce Allen was fired at the end of the 2019 season, coach Ron Rivera was hired on New Year’s Day and given control of football operations and the team this week announced it’s dumping the name “Redskins” after 87 years.
Allen’s departure coincided with the firing of the team’s previous medical and training staff, and Rivera brought trainers with him from Carolina and hired a new coaching staff.
