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Colts owner Irsay suggests removal of Commanders owner Snyder
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Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, speaks to reporters during the league's special meeting at the JW Marriot in Bloomington, Indiana, August 9, 2022. /CFP
Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, speaks to reporters during the league's special meeting at the JW Marriot in Bloomington, Indiana, August 9, 2022. /CFP

Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, speaks to reporters during the league's special meeting at the JW Marriot in Bloomington, Indiana, August 9, 2022. /CFP

Jim Irsay, owner of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, said on Tuesday that his counterpart at the Washington Commanders, Daniel Snyder, should be ousted.

"I just believe in the workplace today, the standard that the shield stands for, in the NFL, that you have to stand for that and protect that," Irsay said at the league's fall meeting. "I just think that once owners talk amongst each other, they'll arrive to the right decision. My belief is that, unfortunately, I believe that that's the road we probably need to go down, and we just need to finish the investigation. But it's gravely concerning to me, the things that have occurred there over the last 20 years."

Snyder faced investigations over him sexually harassing an employee and holding back revenues. Both probes were overseen by former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Mary Jo White. Snyder denied both charges.

According to the NFL rules, it takes at least 24 of 32 owners to vote yes to remove a team owner from his position. The Athletic reported that the league is waiting for White's reports before deciding on launching a formal procedure.

Daniel Snyder, owner of the NFL's Washington Commanders, looks on during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, October 2, 2022. /CFP
Daniel Snyder, owner of the NFL's Washington Commanders, looks on during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, October 2, 2022. /CFP

Daniel Snyder, owner of the NFL's Washington Commanders, looks on during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, October 2, 2022. /CFP

"It pains me, because it's not something personal, it's something in the interest of the National Football League and what we're about, and how we're represented. You know, as leaders in the world," Irsay said.

The Commanders responded to Irsay's remarks later on Tuesday, saying it was "highly inappropriate, but not surprising" for the Colts owner "to make statements based on falsehoods in the media."

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Irsay decided to go public with his statement today, while an investigation is in process, and the team had no opportunity to formally respond to the allegations," a Commanders spokesperson said in a statement. "The Commanders have made remarkable progress over the past two years. We are confident that, when he has an opportunity to see the actual evidence in the case, Mr. Irsay will conclude that there is no reason for the Snyders to consider selling the franchise. And they won't."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell looks on during the game between the Buffalo Bills the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, September 8, 2022. /CFP
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell looks on during the game between the Buffalo Bills the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, September 8, 2022. /CFP

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell looks on during the game between the Buffalo Bills the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, September 8, 2022. /CFP

Last week, ESPN posted in an article that Snyder has "dirt" on other NFL teams owners and Commissioner Roger Goodell so they can't remove him from the position as the Commanders' owner.

Snyder responded to this article on Monday, denying that he hired anyone to investigate into the background of other owners and Goodell. "That is patently false and intended to erode the trust and goodwill between owners that I take quite seriously. I have never hired any private investigator to look into any owner or the Commissioner. I have never instructed or authorized my lawyers to hire any private investigator on my behalf for any such purpose. And I never would," Snyder said.

No team owner has ever been voted out in any of the four major sports leagues in North America (NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL). In several cases, when the owners were on the edge of being ousted, but they all ended with the teams being sold.

Irsay suggested that the Commanders be sold so it won't end up going to a member of the Snyder family.

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