Two House Democrats wrote to Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, Thursday asking for the league's results in the investigation into Washington Football Team's workplace culture.
This five-page letter was nearly two weeks after Jon Gruden, Las Vegas Raiders' coach, resigned from his position due to leaked emails. Bruce Allen, then-WFT president, received seven years worth of emails from Gruden, which included anti-gay, racist, and misogynistic language.
The NFL was also urged to release the results of the independent investigation led by Beth Wilkinson into Washington's workplace.
After the almost year-long investigation, there was no written report and the league has not released all of the findings. A spokesperson for the NFL stated that the league will not reopen the investigation nor release the 650,000 emails it gathered.
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D.New York), and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, (D.Illinois), sent the letter asking the league to turn over many documents and answer numerous questions regarding the investigation by November 4.
They demand that the NFL produce all documents and communications pertaining to the investigation into the WFT's management, owners and any other matter related to or resulting in the WFT investigation.
They want the NFL's role in Wilkinson’s investigation to be detailed and to explain why no written report was produced after interviewing 150 people. Concerns were also raised about the non-disclosure agreements signed by former employees. It also wanted to know what the role was played by Jeff Pash, the NFL's general attorney, in the investigation. Some emails leaked revealed Pash's close relationship to Allen. These emails covered topics such as jokes about the league's diversity initiatives or rescinding a fine from the NFL. Allen was fired after the 2019 season.
Two democrats wrote that they were concerned about widespread abuse at work and the NFL's handling. Communication between WFT leadership and league management raises concerns about how impartiality was maintained in these investigations.
After the investigation was concluded, Washington was fined $10 Million. Owner Dan Snyder's wife Tanya became co-CEO of his franchise. Tanya Snyder assumed daily operations while Dan Snyder concentrated on the construction of a new stadium. Ten former Washington employees wrote a letter last week to several sponsors, including Nike, asking them to press the NFL to provide detailed information.
Gruden's emails to Allen, his account as a Monday Night Football analyst at ESPN, were sent to Allen. Some of these emails were also included in court filings that Snyder was seeking to prove that Allen was responsible for leaking negative information.
The letter stated that "The NFL's inability to disclose the problems it discovered raises questions about how serious it has dealt with bigotry and racism -- setting troubling precedents for other workplaces."
Brian McCarthy, a spokesperson for the NFL, stated via email that he had received the Chairwoman’s letter. He shared her concern about harassment and discrimination in all workplaces. We look forward speaking with her office soon."
