Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder isn’t keen on leaving quietly, having been forced out of the NFL.
Snyder and his wife are reported to have cleared out of the team’s facility, with a sale now thought to be imminent. This hasn’t stopped the team formerly known as the Football Team from doing business as it pertains to signings, yet it appears Snyder is being as miserly as possible while still handing out some lucrative contracts.
Defensive tackle Daron Payne was extended to the tune of a four-year deal worth $90 million while former free agents Jacoby Brissett and Andrew were brought in. All three players have clauses in their contracts stating that they won’t receive the first payment of their signing bonuses until May 12.
This is pretty strange as players typically receive their first payments within a month’s time, so eyebrows were naturally raised.
According to a former Commanders employee who spoke to The Athletic, the clauses were added as a means of ensuring Snyder does not foot the bill.
“Relative to their prior contract precedents, it would seem that they have intentionally delayed the first installment of their signing bonuses,” the source was quoted as saying. “Very plausible that it’s related to the expected timeline of a sale. … I think the payout dates are fairly telling.”
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It would seem that Snyder expects to be out by early May. He has asked the NFL for protection from punishment for any wrongdoing as a condition for selling the team but he’s unlikely to get it and this stunt is unlikely to have done him any favors.
The 58-year-old is currently the subject of a federal investigation while the IRS is also probing into his affairs following accusations of him taking a $55 million loan unbeknownst to his former co-owners.
