Commanders deny hiding revenue from NFL in 102-page document sent to FTC
The Washington Commanders are pushing back against accusations the team hid revenue from the NFL. The Commanders denied all allegations of financial malfeasance in a 102-page document to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday, according to the Washington Post.
Congress accused the franchise of stealing season ticket deposits in a letter to the FTC last Tuesday. Those allegations were based on testimony from the team's former vice president of sales and customer service Jason Friedman, who turned over documents to Congress suggesting the team withheld security deposits that were supposed to be returned to season-ticket holders. The team then reportedly pocketed that money, roughly $5 million, which should have been included in the NFL's revenue-sharing pool.
The team said Monday those allegations are "uncorroborated," per the Washington Post.
The Commanders wrote to the F.T.C. because, it said, the congressional committee did not request any documents or interviews with the team about the allegations, which the Commanders called “uncorroborated.”
“Had the committee posed any of these questions or requests to the team, the team could — and would — easily and fully have rebutted each allegation, as the complained-of conduct did not occur, plain and simple, as demonstrated below,” the Commanders said in the letter signed by Jordan Siev, a lawyer at Reed Smith, an outside law firm hired by the team.
The Commanders claim they properly accounted for the revenue, but Friedman did not realize that because he is not an accountant. Friedman said Monday he stands by his testimony.
Statement from Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, who says Jason Friedman stands by his testimony. pic.twitter.com/vYG9bgAL4g
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 18, 2022
The Commanders also claimed auditors — from either the team or the NFL — would have noticed if there was a revenue discrepancy.
Commanders financial allegations came to light in March
Allegations of financial malfeasance by the team first came to light in March, when Friedman testified in front of Congress. Friedman was one of many current or former Commanders employees interviewed by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which was looking into allegations of sexual misconduct within the team, some of which allegedly involved team co-owner Daniel Snyder.
Congress prepared and sent a letter to the FTC last Tuesday detailing the alleged instances of financial malfeasance. The FTC has the ability to also investigate the team. The Commission has not revealed whether it will launch an investigation yet.
