Daniel Snyder

{{Infobox person

| name = Dan Snyder

| image = Dan Snyder Washington Commanders Reveal (51858871386) (cropped2).jpg

| caption = Snyder in 2022

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|11|23}}

| birth_place = Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.

| birth_name = Daniel Marc Snyder

| education = University of Maryland (dropped out)

| occupation = Businessman

| known_for = Owner of the Washington Commanders (1999–2023)

| spouse = Tanya Snyder

| children = 3

}}

Daniel Marc Snyder (born November 23, 1964) is an American businessman and former owner of the Washington Commanders, an American football franchise belonging to the National Football League (NFL). He bought the team, then known as the Redskins, from the estate of Jack Kent Cooke in 1999. Snyder is widely considered one of the worst owners in the history of North American professional sports, with the team managing only four division titles, six playoff appearances, and two playoff wins during his 24 years of ownership.

Snyder's ownership of the team was marred by the enablement of a toxic workplace culture, as well as financial improprieties such as withholding security deposits from season ticket holders and paying hush money to accusers. Growing pressure from other NFL owners, amid investigations by the U.S. Congress and other government agencies, led him to sell the team to an investment group headed by Josh Harris for $6.05 billion. Snyder has resided in London since the early 2020s.

Early life

Snyder was born on November 23, 1964, in Silver Spring, Maryland.[http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=60&ArticleID=11567&TM=24272.7 Washington Jewish Week: "Five local Jews make Forbes richest list"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905154137/http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?SectionID=4 |date=September 5, 2012 }} October 7, 2009{{cite news |last1=Jaffe |first1=Harry |title=The Dan Snyder You Don't Know |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2006/09/01/the-dan-snyder-you-dont-know/ |work=Washingtonian |date=1 September 2006}} The son of Arlette (née Amsellem) and Gerald Snyder, he was raised in a Jewish household with his brother Zack Snyder.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4967-2002Sep11_3.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Forward Motion | date=September 15, 2002}}{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0O92UOK3BegC | title=Contemporary Authors: A Bio-bibliographical Guide to Current Authors and Their Works| isbn=9780810300286| last1=Fadool| first1=Cynthia R.| year=1976| publisher=Gale Research}}[http://www.forbes.co.il/news/new.aspx?0r9VQ=IEEK Forbes Israel: Jewish Billionaires – Profile of Dan Snyder] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425012425/http://www.forbes.co.il/news/new.aspx?0r9VQ=IEEK |date=April 25, 2013 }} April 14, 2013 (in Hebrew)[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/redskins/2013/10/13/nfl-jerry-jones-roger-goodell-washington-redskins-name-controversy-dan-snyder/2977745/ USA Today: "Jerry Jones: Dan Snyder sensitive to Redskins name controversy because he's Jewish" by Lindsay H. Jones] October 13, 2013[https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/DanSnyder.html Jewish Virtual Library: "Daniel Snyder"] retrieved October 24, 2013 His father was a freelance writer who wrote for United Press International and National Geographic. At age 12, he moved to Henley-on-Thames, a small town near London, where he attended private school. At age 14, he returned to the United States and lived with his grandmother in Queens, New York. A year later, his family moved to Rockville, Maryland, where Snyder graduated from Charles W. Woodward High School.

His first job was at a B. Dalton bookstore in White Flint Mall. By age 20, he had dropped out of the University of Maryland, College Park{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/talent/danpatrick/s/snyder.html|title=Dan Patrick:Outtakes with Daniel Snyder|website=www.espn.com}} and was running his own business, leasing jets to fly college students to spring break in Fort Lauderdale and the Caribbean. Snyder claimed to have earned US$1 million running the business with a friend out of his parents' apartment.{{cite news |first=Mehul |last=Nariyawala |url=http://www.chibus.com/media/storage/paper408/news/2004/10/28/GsbNews/Evc-Lines.Up.Dan.Snyder.As.Luncheon.Keynote.For.November.12.Conference-785894.shtml?norewrite200607250248&sourcedomain=www.chibus.com |title=EVC Lines Up Dan Snyder as Luncheon Keynote for November 12 Conference |trans-title=Dan Snyder – From a College Dropout to Billionaire Owner of Washington Redskins |date=October 28, 2004 |publisher=Chicago Business }} {{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Snyder courted real estate entrepreneur Mortimer Zuckerman, whose U.S. News & World Report was also interested in the college market and who agreed to finance his push to publish Campus USA, a magazine for college students. Zuckerman and Fred Drasner, co-publisher of Zuckerman's New York Daily News, invested $3 million in Campus USA. The venture closed after two years.

Career

In 1989, Snyder and his sister Michele founded Snyder Communications, an advertising company with seed money from their father. They concentrated on wallboards in doctors' offices and colleges. They combined the advertisements with the distribution of product samples, such as soaps and packages of medicine, to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Snyder continued to expand its activities to different aspects of outsourced marketing. In 1992, the company expanded into telemarketing with a focus on the immigrant market. Revenues rose from $2.7 million in 1991 to $9 million in 1993.

Snyder became the youngest CEO of a New York Stock Exchange listed company at the age of 32 when it underwent an initial public offering in September 1996.{{cite news |first=Anna |last=Muoio |url = http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/09/one.html |title=The Secrets of Their Success – and Yours |date = June 1997 |publisher=Fast Company}} His top investors, including media mogul Barry Diller and Robert Strauss, earned significant returns on their initial investment. Mortimer Zuckerman and Fred Drasner, whom Snyder owed $3 million from the failure of his first business venture, were given company stock, which ended up being worth over $500 million. His parents sold their stock in the company for over $60 million.

He continued to expand the company through a string of acquisitions, such as Arnold Worldwide in 1997. By 1998, the company had over 12,000 employees and $1 billion in annual revenues. In April 2000, Snyder Communications was sold to the French advertising and marketing services group Havas in an all-stock transaction valued at in excess of US$2 billion.{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Greg |last2=Behr |first2=Peter |title=Snyder to Sell His Marketing Firm for $2 Billion |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/2000/02/22/snyder-to-sell-his-marketing-firm-for-2-billion/deab34bd-2e3e-4ac6-84e3-52deff4364b9/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=28 February 2023 |date=February 22, 2000}}{{Cite news | url = http://www.secinfo.com/dSAKe.51Sq.htm| title = Havas Filing 425 (Snyder Communications Inc |date = July 18, 2000 | publisher=US Securities & Exchanges Commission }} Snyder's personal share of the proceeds was estimated to be US$300 million.{{cite news |first=David |last=Einstein |title = The Greening Of The Redskins |url = https://www.forbes.com/2000/09/08/mu1.html |date = September 8, 2000 |work = Forbes}}

=Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders ownership (1999–2023)=

File:Dan Snyder (cropped).jpg

In May 1999, Snyder purchased the Washington Redskins and Jack Kent Cooke Stadium for $800 million following the death of previous owner Jack Kent Cooke. At the time, it was the most expensive transaction in sporting history.{{cite news|last1=Sandomir|first1=Richard|title=Redskins are Sold for $800 Million|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/27/sports/plus-pro-football-washington-redskins-are-sold-for-800-million.html|access-date=September 21, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=April 27, 1999}} The deal was financed largely through borrowed money, including $340 million borrowed from Société Générale and $155 million debt assumed on the stadium. To pay down the team's debt, in 2003, he sold 15% of the team to real estate developer Dwight Schar for $200 million, 15% to Florida financier Robert Rothman for a like amount;{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2003/08/13/the-unassuming-man-in-the-owners-box/|title=The unassuming man in the owners' box|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=December 18, 2022}} and 5% to FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith, leaving him with a 65% ownership interest. In 2020, Snyder blocked the minority owners from selling their combined 35% ownership stake to an outside party by exercising his right of first refusal, only offering to buy back the 20% held by Rothman and Smith but not the 15% owned by Schar.{{cite web| url=https://theathletic.com/2256849/2020/12/12/washington-dan-snyder-ownership-lawsuit/| title=Washington's Dan Snyder 'unlawfully' blocking partners' sale, lawsuit alleges| date=12 December 2020| publisher=The Athletic}}{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/11/20/daniel-snyder-washington-football-minority-owners-sale/| title=Washington Football Team minority owners have a deal to sell, but Daniel Snyder is blocking it| date=20 November 2020| newspaper=The Washington Post}}

In March 2021, after a period of litigation, the league approved Snyder for a debt waiver of $450 million to acquire the remaining ownership stake held by the three in a deal worth approximately $875 million.{{Cite news |last1=Maske |first1=Mark |last2=Clarke |first2=Liz |date=March 25, 2021 |title=Daniel Snyder to receive NFL debt waiver to buy out Washington Football Team partners |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/03/24/daniel-snyder-nfl-debt-waiver-washington-football-team/ |access-date=April 15, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news |last1=Belson |first1=Ken |last2=Rosman |first2=Katherine |date=March 24, 2021 |title=N.F.L. Clears Way for End to Washington Football Team Turmoil |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/sports/football/dan-snyder-washington-harassment-feud.html |access-date=April 15, 2024 |work=The New York Times}} Due to financial issues and increasing pressure from the NFL and other parties, he hired BofA Securities to explore possible sale transactions in November 2022.{{cite web |last1=Whyno |first1=Stephen |title=Dan and Tanya Snyder hire firm to explore sale of Commanders |url=https://apnews.com/article/washington-commanders-nfl-sports-business-football-6870aaba035b2206862997d024b859c8 |website=AP News |date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=19 May 2023}} Snyder began negotiating with a group led by private equity investor Josh Harris in April 2023,{{cite news |last1=Maske |first1=Mark |last2=Jhabvala |first2=Nicki |title=Josh Harris has a signed, exclusive deal with Daniel Snyder for Commanders |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/04/13/josh-harris-group-nears-deal-buy-commanders-daniel-snyder/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=21 July 2023}} with an agreement being reached in May to sell the franchise for $6.05 billion.{{cite news |last1=Maske |first1=Mark |last2=Jhabvala |first2=Nicki |title=Josh Harris has a signed, exclusive deal with Daniel Snyder for Commanders |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/05/12/josh-harris-dan-snyder-commanders-deal/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2023 |date=May 12, 2023}} The deal was unanimously approved by other NFL owners on July 20, 2023, and closed a day later.{{cite news |last1=Maske |first1=Mark |last2=Jhabvala |first2=Nicki |title=NFL owners approve sale of Commanders from Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/20/washington-commanders-sale/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 21, 2023 |date=July 20, 2023}} He formerly served on the NFL's broadcast, business ventures, digital media, international, stadium, and Hall of Fame committees.{{cite web|title=Redskins Owner Dan Snyder Appointed To NFL Stadium Committee|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-owner-dan-snyder-appointed-to-nfl-stadium-committee-17563036|website=Washington Commanders|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083411/http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Redskins-Owner-Dan-Snyder-Appointed-To-NFL-Stadium-Committee/0d4337a7-62bd-4e19-bc0c-533d1d70e1a5|archive-date=November 15, 2017}}

Other ventures

Snyder owned expansion rights to an Arena Football League team for the Washington, D.C., market before the 2009 demise of the original league.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=McCarthy |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2006-12-19-espn-afl_x.htm |title=ESPN buys stake in Arena Football |date=December 19, 2006 |work=USA Today}} He purchased the rights to the team for $4 million in 1999. The team was going to be called the Washington Warriors and play their games at the Comcast Center in 2003 but the team never started.{{cite web | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2016/03/01/eight-redskins-connections-to-the-arena-football-league/ | title=Eight Redskins connections to the Arena Football League | work=washingtonpost.com | date=March 1, 2016 | access-date=March 10, 2016 | author=Russell, Jack}}

In 2005, he bought 12% of the stock of amusement park operator Six Flags through his private equity company RedZone Capital. He later gained control of the board, placing his friend and ESPN executive Mark Shapiro as CEO and himself as chairman. In April 2009, the New York Stock Exchange delisted Six Flags' stock as it had fallen below the minimal market capitalization.[http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/04/06/daily82.html Atlanta Business Journal: "Six Flags delisted"]. bizjournals.com. April 9, 2009 In June 2009, Six Flags announced that the company was delaying a $15 million debt payment and two weeks later, Six Flags filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.{{cite news|last=de la Merced |first=Michael J. |date=June 13, 2009 |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/six-flags-files-for-bankruptcy/ |title=Six Flags Files for Bankruptcy |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 13, 2024}} As part of the reorganization, 92% of the company ended up in the hands of their lenders[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aPiLLmSHA91M Bloomberg: "Six Flags Would Be Owned by Lenders Under Proposal (Update2)" By Steven Church] August 21, 2009 with Snyder and Shapiro being removed from their positions.[https://www.telegram.com/article/20100502/NEWS/5020635 Worcester Telegram: "Chairman off Six Flags board"] May 2, 2010

In July 2006, Snyder launched Red Zebra Broadcasting with the purchase of a trio of sports radio stations in Washington, D.C. He purchased three other radio stations in the mid-Atlantic region, and broadcast coverage of Washington Redskins games on all of his stations. In 2017 and 2018, Red Zebra sold off all of its radio stations and ceased doing business.{{cite news|title=Daniel Snyder Sells Red Zebra's Flagship Station To Urban One|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2018/05/22/Media/Red-Zebra|date=May 22, 2018}}

Also in July 2006, Snyder and other investors signed a deal to provide financing to the production company run by Tom Cruise and his partner, Paula Wagner. This came one week after Paramount Pictures severed its ties with Cruise and Wagner.{{cite news |title=Dan Snyder accepts latest mission: Tom Cruise |first=Neil |last=Adler |url=http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2006/08/28/daily20.html |date=August 28, 2006 |publisher=The Washington Business Journal}} Snyder is credited as an executive producer for the 2008 movie Valkyrie, which starred Cruise.{{cite news |last1=Heath |first1=Thomas |title=Snyder's Red Zone sells Johnny Rockets to Sun Capital affiliate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/snyders-red-zone-sells-johnny-rockets-to-sun-capital-affiliate/2013/06/18/794fcaea-d851-11e2-a9f2-42ee3912ae0e_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=26 August 2024}}

In February 2007, it was announced that Snyder's private equity firm Red Zone Capital Management would purchase Johnny Rockets, the 1950s-themed diner chain.{{cite news |first=Andrew Ross |last=Sorkin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/09/business/09deal.html?th&emc=th |title=Footballs, Funhouses and Fries |date=February 9, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} RedZone Capital Management sold the company to Sun Capital Partners in 2013.{{cite news|last=Luna|first=Nancy|title=O.C.-based burger chain Johnny Rockets sold|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/johnny-513231-rockets-chain.html|access-date=June 18, 2013|newspaper=The Orange County Register|date=June 18, 2013}} From 2007 to 2012, Snyder also owned entertainment company Dick Clark Productions.{{cite news|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/media/2007-06-19-redzone-dick-clark_N.htm|work=USA Today|date=June 19, 2007|title=Dan Snyder buys Dick Clark's TV, music company|first=David|last=Lieberman|access-date=September 7, 2009}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/09/04/dick-clark-productions-sold/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 4, 2012|title=Investment firm picks up Dick Clark Productions|access-date=October 26, 2021}}

Snyder is a backer of the film production company Kinematics, which was founded by filmmaker Mark H. Rapaport. The production company financed the 2024 film The Apprentice, which is a portrayal of Donald Trump early in his business and real estate career in New York City.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2024-09-03 |title=‘The Apprentice’ Producer Kinematics Sells Stake in Trump Movie Over ‘Creative Differences’ |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/apprentice-producer-kinematics-sells-stake-trump-movie-dan-snyder-1236128797/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} According to ESPN sources, Snyder invested in the film believing it would portray Trump favorably.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-25 |title=Sources: Snyder 'hates' Commanders success |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43538463/snyder-hates-commanders-success |website=ESPN |language=en}} When the film was screened in his home in February 2024, Snyder reportedly became upset about the negative portrayal of Trump. The film was shelved before Kinematics sold its stake in the film in the summer of 2024.

Reception and controversies

Snyder is widely considered to be one of the worst owners in the history of North American professional sports.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/dan-snyder-is-officially-out-with-commanders-is-he-the-worst-team-owner-in-sports-history-205601370.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMpxLPrxBU8G-gEzBif4xtVGAwluK7Coc9p5BfhYFC_niWkeND3OPNMGj74tJ3rm4vw1xcrCakBEP1or_QdunjUpKHgKd0dFGxkwyVTXQPN5Qubn4ESFAySob8i6YwKt9wwSIY3MA3p2CVfpT97PyNrMTYJJq9dL3HoLahCJlIrQ|title=Dan Snyder is officially out with Commanders. Is he the worst team owner in sports history?|date=July 20, 2023 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/news/washington-owner-dan-snyder-worst-sports-not-close-jerry-jones-counting-votes|title=Commanders Owner Dan Snyder: The Worst, 'And It's Not Even Close'|date=May 23, 2022 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/washington-commanders-nfl-owner-dan-snyder-gets-last-laugh-rcna55687|title=The NFL's worst owner will get the last laugh|website=NBC News |date=November 6, 2022 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/10/13/dan-snyder-washington-commanders-nfl-owners-dirt|title=How Much Longer Will the NFL Tolerate Dan Snyder?|date=October 13, 2022 }} Under his ownership, the team had a regular season record of 164–220–2 with a post-season record of 2–6, never reaching past the Divisional Round.{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/30/redskins-need-major-changes-to-start-winning-again/?page=all|title=Redskins need major changes to start winning again|date=December 20, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=White, Joseph}} The media alleged that his managerial style and workplace culture directly affected the team's performance during his tenure as the principal owner.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Wilbon |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101303177.html |title=Snyder Must Lead Redskins By Getting Out of the Way |date=October 13, 2009 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite news |first=Sally |last=Jenkins |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/09/AR2009100903201.html |title=In Unstable Condition |date=October 9, 2009 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Daly |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/12/dan-daly-problems-with-redskins-o-line-start-at-to/ |title=Problems with Redskins' O-line start at top |date=October 12, 2009 |work=The Washington Times}} In reflecting on Snyder in 2025, The Washington Post referred to him as "largely forgotten", while Snyder reportedly was said that he "f------ hates it" when asked about what he felt about seeing Washington win games without him in the 2024 NFL season, in which they made their first NFC Championship Game appearance since the 1991 season, 8 years before Snyder bought the team.{{Cite web | title=After Dan Snyder’s exit, the Washington Commanders are relevant again - The Washington Post | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/01/25/dan-snyder-josh-harris-commanders/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126065115/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/01/25/dan-snyder-josh-harris-commanders/ | access-date=2025-05-18 | archive-date=2025-01-26}}{{cite news |last1=Wickersham |first1=Seth |last2=Van Natta Jr. |first2=Don |title=How Dan Snyder views Commanders' title run from afar: 'He ... hates it' |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43538463/snyder-hates-commanders-success |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=ESPN |date=January 25, 2025}}

Under Snyder, the team sued season ticket holders who were unable to pay during the Great Recession in the late 2000s, despite his claim that there were over 200,000 people on the season ticket waiting list.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/02/AR2009090203887.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2009090104025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Washington Redskins React to Fans' Tough Luck With Tough Love |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=April 30, 2010 |first=James V. |last=Grimaldi}} Partway through the 2009 season, Snyder temporarily banned all signs from FedExField, leading to further fan discontentment.{{cite web|last=Chase|first=Chris|title=Dan Snyder trying to get a newspaper reporter fired|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Dan-Snyder-is-trying-to-get-a-newspaper-reporter?urn=nfl-315778|work=Shutdown Corner|publisher=Yahoo! Sports News |location=Washington|date=February 2, 2011}}{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Steinberg |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/10/signs_banned_at_fedex_field.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030135905/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/10/signs_banned_at_fedex_field.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 30, 2009 |title=Redskins ban signs at FedExField |date=October 27, 2009 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}[https://www.nfl.com/news/redskins-reverse-ban-on-fans-bringing-signs-to-fedex-field-09000d5d81432500 Redskins reverse ban on fans bringing signs to FedEx Field]. nfl.com. July 26, 2012 Fans also expressed discontentment about the game day experience, rising ticket and parking prices, and Snyder's policy of charging fans for tailgates in special areas of the stadium lot.{{cite news |first=Sean |last=Leahy |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/10/redskins-fans-aim-vitriol-at-daniel-snyder-as-teams-heavy-handed-tactics-questioned/1 |title=Redskins fans aim vitriol at Daniel Snyder as team's heavy-handed tactics questioned |date=October 29, 2009 |work=USA Today}}[http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/washington-redskins-raise-ticket-prices-013113 Redskins raise ticket prices]. foxsports.com. June 2, 2014 A 2023 survey conducted by the NFL Players Association ranked Washington as the worst team to play for, with the lowest grades for their team facilities and lack of accommodations for the players and their families.{{Cite news |last=Beaton |first=Andrew |title=The Worst NFL Team to Play for Is… |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/washington-commanders-worst-team-nflpa-survey-33530e15 |access-date=2023-03-02 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=March 2, 2023 |language=en-US}}

=Redskins name=

In May 2013, in response to a question regarding the team's federal trademark, Snyder told the USA Today "We'll never change the name. It's that simple. NEVER—you can use caps."Brady, Erik (May 9, 2013) [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/redskins/2013/05/09/washington-redskins-daniel-snyder/2148127/ "Daniel Snyder says Redskins will never change name"]. USA Today Snyder refused to meet with Native American advocates for a name change. A pitched public relations battle in 2013 and 2014{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=John Woodrow |last2=Vargas |first2=Theresa |title=Inside the fight between Daniel Snyder and Native American activists over 'Redskins' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/inside-the-fight-between-daniel-snyder-and-native-american-activists-over-redskins/2016/05/21/1aa2b514-1e9b-11e6-b6e0-c53b7ef63b45_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 21, 2016}} led Snyder to employ crisis management and PR firms in an effort to defend the name.{{cite news |last1=Levin |first1=Josh |last2=Stahl |first2=Jeremy |title=Who Is Behind the New Washington Football Team Propaganda Site? An Investigation. |url=https://slate.com/culture/2014/07/the-washington-nfl-team-wants-you-to-think-there-s-a-grass-roots-movement-in-support-of-its-offensive-nickname-is-there-really.html |work=Slate |date=July 29, 2014 |language=en}}{{cite magazine |last1=Lund |first1=Jeb |title=The 15 Worst Owners in Sports |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-lists/the-15-worst-owners-in-sports-144598/daniel-snyder-washington-redskins-180632/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 23, 2015}} Snyder's creation of the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation in 2014 was seen by some activists as a disingenuous effort to buy favor from Native American communities.

Following renewed attention to questions of racial justice in wake of the George Floyd protests in 2020, a letter signed by 87 shareholders and investors was sent to team and league sponsors Nike, FedEx, and PepsiCo urging them to cut their ties unless the name was changed.{{cite web|last=Keim|first=John|title=How the events of 2020 forced the Washington NFL team's name change|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29460299/how-events-2020-forced-washington-nfl-team-name-change|website=ESPN.com|date=July 14, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714200616/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29460299/how-events-2020-forced-washington-nfl-team-name-change|archive-date=July 14, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=McDonald|first=Scott|title=Washington Redskins Urged to Lose Name, or Millions in Sponsorships|url=https://www.newsweek.com/washington-redskins-urged-lose-name-millions-sponsorships-1514894|magazine=Newsweek|date=July 1, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703123716/https://www.newsweek.com/washington-redskins-urged-lose-name-millions-sponsorships-1514894|archive-date=July 3, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Clarke|first=Liz|title=In private letter to Redskins, FedEx said it will remove signage if name isn't changed|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/10/private-letter-redskins-fedex-said-it-will-remove-signage-if-name-isnt-changed/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 10, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714190207/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/10/private-letter-redskins-fedex-said-it-will-remove-signage-if-name-isnt-changed/|archive-date=July 14, 2020|url-status=live}} Around the same time, several retail companies had begun removing Redskins merchandise from their stores.{{cite web|title=Amazon to pull Redskins merchandise while team mulls nickname change|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29430296/amazon-pull-redskins-merchandise-team-reviews-nickname|website=ESPN.com|date=July 8, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715110936/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29430296/amazon-pull-redskins-merchandise-team-reviews-nickname|archive-date=July 15, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Tyko|first=Kelly|title=Walmart, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods pull Washington Redskins items as team evaluates name|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/07/06/redskins-merchandise-not-for-sale-target-walmart-stores-name-change/5384674002/|newspaper=USA Today|date=July 6, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714052827/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/07/06/redskins-merchandise-not-for-sale-target-walmart-stores-name-change/5384674002/|archive-date=July 14, 2020|url-status=live}} In response, the team underwent a review in July 2020 and announced they would be retiring the name,{{cite web|last=Patra|first=Kevin|title=Washington retiring nickname, logo; new nickname TBD|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-retires-nickname-logo-new-nickname-tbd|publisher=NFL Enterprises|website=NFL.com|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=July 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716111601/https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-retires-nickname-logo-new-nickname-tbd|archive-date=July 16, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite press release|title=Statement From The Washington Football Team|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-redskins-retiring-name-logo-following-review|publisher=NFL Enterprises|website=Washington Commanders|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713134913/https://www.redskins.com/news/washington-redskins-retiring-name-logo-following-review|archive-date=July 13, 2020|url-status=live}} with a new name and logo to be chosen at a later date.{{cite web|title=Washington Redskins to undergo thorough review of team's name|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-redskins-to-undergo-thorough-review-of-team-s-name|publisher=NFL Enterprises|website=NFL.com|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704145546/https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-redskins-to-undergo-thorough-review-of-team-s-name|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Maese|first1=Rick|last2=Maske|first2=Mark|last3=Clarke|first3=Liz|title=Washington Redskins move toward changing controversial team name|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/03/washington-redskins-launch-review-controversial-team-name/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713172705/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/03/washington-redskins-launch-review-controversial-team-name/|archive-date=July 13, 2020|url-status=live}} As a team rebranding process usually takes over a year, the team temporarily played as the Washington Football Team for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.{{cite press release|title=Washington Announces Franchise Will Be Called 'Washington Football Team' Pending Adoption Of New Name|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-announce-franchise-will-be-called-washington-football-team-pending-adop|publisher=NFL Enterprises|website=Washington Commanders|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724023656/https://www.redskins.com/news/redskins-announce-franchise-will-be-called-washington-football-team-pending-adop|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Bergman|first=Jeremy|title=Washington will go by 'Washington Football Team' until further notice|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-football-team-nfl-name-change|publisher=NFL Enterprises|website=NFL.com|date=July 23, 2020|access-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723171329/https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-football-team-nfl-name-change|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Patra |first1=Kevin |title=Ron Rivera: Washington rebrand could take up to 18 months |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ron-rivera-washington-football-team-rebrand-could-take-up-to-18-months |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725175313/https://www.nfl.com/news/ron-rivera-washington-football-team-rebrand-could-take-up-to-18-months |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |url-status=live }} The name was changed to the Commanders in 2022.{{Cite news|last=Bowman|first=Emma|date=2022-02-06|title=For many Native Americans, the Washington Commanders' new name offers some closure|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/06/1078571919/washington-commanders-name-change-native-americans|access-date=2022-02-17}}

=Defamation suit=

Threatening a lawsuit in January 2011, Snyder demanded the dismissal of sports writer Dave McKenna, who had written an article for the Washington City Paper titled "The Cranky Redskins Fan's Guide to Dan Snyder", creating a list of controversies involving Snyder.{{cite news|last=McKenna|first=Dave|title=The Cranky Redskins Fan's Guide to Dan Snyder |url=http://mirror.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/40063/the-cranky-redskins-fans-guide-to-dan-snyder.html|newspaper=The Washington City Paper|date=November 19, 2010|location=Washington|quote=That's the Dan Snyder who got caught forging names as a telemarketer with Snyder Communications, made a great view of the Potomac River for himself by going all Agent Orange on federally protected lands, and lost over $121 million of Bill Gates' money while selling an "official mattress" while in charge of Six Flags.}} McKenna had been needling Snyder for years in his columns, and the front-page of the article had a defaced picture of Snyder with devil's horns and a beard, an image Snyder claimed was antisemitic.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/business/media/07carr.html|title=Ridiculed, an N.F.L. Owner Goes to Court|first=David|last=Carr|newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 7, 2011}} Other sportswriters have come out in support of McKenna.Petchesky, Barry (February 3, 2011) [http://deadspin.com/5750980/dan-snyder-cries-anti+semitism-in-letter-that-manages-to-be-racist Dan Snyder Cries Antisemitism In Letter That Manages To Be Racist], Deadspin In a statement released by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, while acknowledging that public figures are fair game for criticism, said the artwork used by the City Paper was reminiscent of "virulent anti-Semitism going back to the Middle Ages" and urged the City Paper issue an apology. Mike Madden of the City Paper issued a statement saying they take accusations of antisemitism very seriously and said the artwork was meant to "resemble the type of scribbling that teenagers everywhere have been using to deface photos" and the cover art was not an antisemitic caricature.{{Cite web|url=http://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/467845/on-the-matter-of-dan-snyders-horns/|title=On the Matter of Dan Snyder's Horns|date=February 2, 2011|website=Washington City Paper}} In February, Snyder filed a lawsuit against the City Paper before dropping it in September.Madden, Mike (September 10, 2011). [http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2011/09/10/dan-snyder-drops-lawsuit-against-washington-city-paper-dave-mckenna/ "Dan Snyder Drops Lawsuit Against Washington City Paper, Dave McKenna."] washingtoncitypaper.com.

=Environmental=

In 2004, Snyder brokered a deal with the National Park Service to remove old growth trees from the {{convert|200|ft}} of national parkland behind his home to grant him a better view of the Potomac River, on the condition that Snyder would replace the trees with 600 native saplings. Lenn Harley, a real estate broker who was not involved in Snyder's purchase of the estate but was familiar with the area, estimated that the relatively unobstructed view of the river and its surroundings that resulted from Snyder's clearing could add $500,000 to $1 million to his $10 million home's value.{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Craig |title=Park Service Could Profit From Allowing Snyder To Clear His Land |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10466-2005Mar5.html|date=March 16, 2005 |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A01}} The clearcutting was started without approval from Montgomery County, Maryland, and without environmental assessments, as required by law. As a result, Snyder was fined $100 by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in December 2004. Snyder's neighbors also filed complaints regarding his clearcutting of scenic and historic easements behind his home.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/18/AR2006051802337.html|title=Parks Official Is Blamed In Snyder Tree Cutting|last=Craig|first=Tim|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 19, 2006|access-date=May 13, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}

The NPS ranger who investigated the complaints of Snyder's neighbors and clearcutting along the Potomac was transferred multiple times due to his continued pursuit of the complaints and the Snyder property. Eventually, the NPS ranger filed a whistleblower complaint regarding the Snyder case. Later, the ranger's anonymity as a whistleblower was lost, potentially leading to extreme harassment and a trial of the park ranger, ultimately ending the ranger's career.{{cite news |title=Review of: Worth Fighting For: A Park Ranger's Unexpected Battle against Federal Bureaucrats & Washington Redskins Owner Dan Snyder |first=Rick |last=Smith |date=March 14, 2012 |url=http://www.anpr.org/dannobook.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418184858/http://www.anpr.org/dannobook.htm |archive-date=April 18, 2012 }}{{Cite news|url=https://washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/janfeb-2014/smokey-and-the-bandit/|title=Smokey and the Bandit|last=Murphy|first=Tim|date=December 26, 2013|work=Washington Monthly|access-date=May 13, 2018|volume=January/February 2014|language=en-US|issn=0043-0633}}

=Workplace culture=

In July 2020, The Washington Post published a series of articles alleging that over 40 women who were former employees of the organization, including office workers and cheerleaders, had been sexually harassed and discriminated against by Snyder and other male executives, colleagues, and players of the team since at least 2006.{{cite news |first=Ellie |last=Kaufman |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/16/us/washington-redskins-sexual-harassment-allegations/index.html|title=At least 15 women are accusing Washington Redskins staffers of sexual harassment, report says|date=July 16, 2020 |work=CNN}}{{cite news |last1=Hobson |first1=Will |last2=Reinhard |first2=Beth |last3=Clarke |first3=Liz |last4=Bennett |first4=Dalton |title=Lewd cheerleader videos, sexist rules: Ex-employees decry Washington's NFL team workplace |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/08/26/redskins-cheerleaders-video-daniel-snyder-washington/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 26, 2020}} That December, it was also reported that Snyder had settled a sexual harassment claim with a former female employee for a sum of $1.6 million. The alleged incident had occurred on his private plane while returning from the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2009. Two private investigations at the time, hired by the team and an outside law firm, failed to substantiate the woman's claim, and it was reported that Snyder paid the sum to avoid any negative publicity.{{cite web |last1=Keim |first1=John |title=Washington Football Team reportedly settled sexual misconduct allegation against owner Dan Snyder for $1.6 million |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30582605/washington-football-team-reportedly-settled-sexual-misconduct-allegation-owner-dan-snyder-16-million |website=ESPN |date=December 22, 2020 |access-date=23 December 2020}} A year-long independent investigation into the team's workplace culture, led by lawyer Beth Wilkinson, was concluded in July 2021.{{cite news |last1=Keim |first1=John |title=Who is Beth Wilkinson? Lawyer leading Washington NFL team's investigation has high-profile history. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/17/beth-wilkinson-washington-nfl-investigation/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=1 September 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Hobson |first1=Will |last2=Clarke |first2=Liz |last3=Reinhard |first3=Beth |last4=Maske |first4=Mark |title=NFL fines Washington Football Team $10 million; Tanya Snyder to run operations for now |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/07/01/daniel-snyder-nfl-fine-sexual-harassment-investigation/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 2, 2021|date=July 1, 2021}} It found that incidents of sexual harassment, bullying, and intimidation were commonplace throughout the organization under his ownership. The NFL fined the team $10 million in response, with Snyder also voluntarily stepping down from running the team's day-to-day operations for a few months, giving those responsibilities to his wife Tanya Snyder.

On July 28, 2022, Snyder voluntarily testified before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform regarding its own investigation on Washington's history of workplace misconduct.{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/commanders-owner-daniel-snyder-testifies-before-congressional-committee|title=Commanders owner Daniel Snyder testifies before congressional committee|date=July 28, 2022|access-date=July 28, 2022}}{{cite news|work=USAToday.com|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/commanders/2022/07/28/daniel-snyder-testifies-before-congress-under-oath/10171530002/|title=Commanders owner Daniel Snyder testifies before Congress voluntarily but under oath|first=Tom|last=Schad|date=July 28, 2022|access-date=July 28, 2022}} Following a 14-month probe, the Oversight and Reform committee published a report in December 2022 that found that Snyder gave "misleading" answers when he testified about his team's workplace issues.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/12/08/dan-snyder-testimony-house-committee/|title=Daniel Snyder gave evasive, 'misleading' testimony, House committee says|first1=Mark|last1=Maske|first2=Liz|last2=Clarke|first3=Nicki|last3=Jhabvala|newspaper=Washington Post|date=December 8, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2022}} The report also accused Snyder of paying former employees hush money so they would not come forward with their allegations of abuse, which included "sexual misconduct, exploitation of women, bullying of men, and other inappropriate behavior," describing it as "commonplace, and that he was a hands-on owner who had a role in nearly every organizational decision." The report also stated the NFL "has not protected workers from sexual harassment and abuse."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/08/sports/football/dan-snyder-nfl-commanders-congress-investigation.html|title=Congress Says Dan Snyder and the NFL Impeded Sexual Harassment Investigation|first1=Ken|last1=Belson|first2=Katherine|last2=Roseman|work=The New York Times|date=December 8, 2022|access-date=December 8, 2022}} Former cheerleader Melanie Coburn testified before Congress that she was sexually harassed up to 200 times during her employment with the team, with a former video production manager for the team testifying that Snyder requested that lewd footage of a cheerleader photo shoot, without their consent, be compiled into a video. Snyder was also alleged to have hired private investigators to gather damaging information on team and NFL employees, including commissioner Roger Goodell and other team owners.{{cite web |last1=Van Natta Jr. |first1=Don |last2=Wickersham |first2=Seth |last3=Thompson |first3=Tisha |title=Sources: Commanders boss Snyder claims 'dirt' on NFL owners, Goodell |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34778123/washington-commanders-owner-dan-snyder-claims-dirt-nfl-owners-roger-goodell |publisher=ESPN |date=October 13, 2022}}

=Financial improprieties=

In 2021, the U.S. House Oversight Committee looked into reports that Snyder may have under reported ticket sales to the league, a move that would have allowed him to keep more ticket revenue.{{Cite news |last=Agence France Presse |date=November 2, 2022 |title=Snyders Exploring Sale Options For NFL's Commanders |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/snyders-exploring-sale-options-for-nfl-s-commanders-01667406906?mod=article_signInButton |access-date=April 22, 2024 |work=Barron's}} On April 12, 2022, the Committee sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission alleging Snyder had been keeping two separate financial ledgers since at least 2012: one that he would submit to the NFL and one that showed the actual numbers, which were much different. Congress also alleged that Snyder would drive up prices by selling cheaper tickets in bulk to third-party vendors, causing the remaining tickets to become far more expensive. This would in turn force fans who wanted to attend games at FedExField to either join an expensive waiting list or buy expensive tickets.{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Liz |last2=Kane |first2=Paul |last3=Maske |first3=Mark |title=Congress investigating allegations of financial impropriety by Commanders |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/03/31/washington-football-house-oversight-investigation/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=12 July 2022}}

A criminal inquiry by the Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia alleged that Snyder possibly committed bank fraud after learning he was granted a $55 million line of credit in November 2018 without the knowledge and permission of the team's board of directors. In February 2023, a federal grand jury issued subpoenas for a cache of documents related to the team's finances.{{cite web |title=How a disputed $55M loan plays into feds' probe of Commanders |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35726691/former-partners-say-dan-snyder-used-team-fund-lifestyle-took-improper-loan-their-approval |first=Don|last=Van Natta Jr.|author-link=Don Van Natta Jr.|website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 2, 2023 |language=en |date=28 February 2023}}

In October 2022, attorney general of Washington, D.C. Karl Racine filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Snyder and the NFL.{{cite news |title=D.C. attorney general sues Daniel Snyder, Commanders, NFL |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/11/10/snyder-attorney-general-lawsuit-commanders/ |access-date=18 December 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=10 November 2022}} The criminal inquiry began after the US House Committee on Oversight and Accountability sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission detailing that it had found evidence of deceptive business practices over the span of more than a decade, including withholding ticket revenue from visiting teams and refundable deposits from fans.{{cite web |last=Van Natta Jr. |first=Don |title=How a disputed $55M loan plays into feds' probe of Commanders |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35726691/former-partners-say-dan-snyder-used-team-fund-lifestyle-took-improper-loan-their-approval |publisher=ESPN |access-date=1 March 2023 |date=February 28, 2023}}

A $55 million loan became the primary focus of federal prosecutors, which initially was discovered as a footnote in an April 2020 financial report. The team had taken out the credit line 16 months earlier without the knowledge and required approval of Snyder's minority partners, Robert Rothman, Dwight Schar, and Frederick W. Smith, who owned 40% of the team collectively. Bank of America officials repeatedly asked team executives for proof that the board had approved the loan, but team executives ignored all requests before the loan closed. According to arbitration documents, the partners demanded that the NFL investigate the origin of Snyder's loan, yet neither NFL commissioner Roger Goodell nor the NFL arbitrator investigated the allegations. Four days after the partners asked the NFL to seek proof that the loan was legally obtained, the NFL shut down arbitration proceedings.

Personal life

File:WFT vs. Saints (51581935977).jpg at FedExField, 2021]]

In 1994, Snyder married Tanya Ivey, a former fashion model from Atlanta. She is a national spokesperson for breast cancer awareness and was named co-CEO of the team in 2021.Battista, Judy (September 25, 2009) [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/sports/football/26snyder.html?_r=0 "Wife of Redskins Owner Finds Her Voice in Cancer Fight"]. The New York Times[https://www.commanders.com/news/tanya-snyder-to-host-style-lounge-sunday-9022228 "Tanya Snyder Opens Redskins Style Lounge" By Daniel Zimmet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213063644/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Tanya-Snyder-Opens-Redskins-Style-Lounge/9ad71ee5-9a7a-4a4a-8774-257dd9208039 |date=December 13, 2012 }} December 9, 2012, Washington Commanders{{cite web |title=Washington Football Team names Tanya Snyder co-CEO of franchise |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31731976/washington-football-team-names-tanya-snyder-co-ceo-franchise |website=ESPN |date=June 29, 2021 |access-date=2 July 2021}} They have three children and live in Alexandria, Virginia.[https://www.forbes.com/profile/dan-snyder/ The World's Billionaires – Dan Snyder]. Forbes In 2001, Snyder had surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid gland.{{cite news |last1=Maske |first1=Mark |title=Snyder On Mend From Cancer Surgery |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/04/26/snyder-on-mend-from-cancer-surgery/edb200d1-b811-4252-9487-b2fc630e91f3/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=12 July 2022}} In November 2022, Snyder incorporated a private limited company in London that listed his residency in England.{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Liz |title=Daniel Snyder calls England his usual residence in recent filing |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/01/02/dan-snyder-england/ |access-date=3 January 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2 January 2023}}

Snyder contributed $1 million to help the victims of the September 11 attacks and donated $600,000 to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. He paid shipping costs for charitable food shipments to aid those affected by the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and Thailand. In 2016 following Hurricane Matthew, Snyder dispatched his private plane to provide emergency supplies in the Bahamas and medical supplies to Hospital Bernard Mevs in Port-au-Prince.{{cite web|title=Dan Snyder sends plane to Bahamas to assist with hurricane relief|url=http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/washington-redskins/dan-snyder-bahamas-assist-hurricane-relief|website=CSN Mid-Atlantic|date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Andrews-Dyer|first1=Helena|title=Redskins player Pierre Garçon heads to Haiti on team owner Dan Snyder's private jet|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2016/10/10/redskins-player-pierre-garcon-heads-to-haiti-on-team-owner-dan-snyders-private-jet/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 10, 2016}}

In 2000, Snyder founded the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation.{{cite web|title=Washington Redskins: Daniel Snyder|url=https://www.commanders.com/team/front-office-roster/dan-snyder|website=Washington Commanders|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501200909/http://www.redskins.com/team/staff/daniel-snyder/fd1d5d4f-cae1-43b7-ac59-dac8c1e6db89|archive-date=May 1, 2017}} Snyder has been a long-time supporter of Youth For Tomorrow, an organization founded by former Redskins head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs. In April 2010, the organization presented Snyder with its Distinguished Leader Award.{{cite web|title=Faces & Places|url=http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2010/05/20100510/Faces-Places/Faces-Places.aspx?hl=Sports+Media+Of+The+Year&sc=0|publisher=Sports Business Journal|access-date=May 13, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2005, Snyder was inducted as a member of the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.{{cite web|title=Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame|url=http://www.benderjccgw.org/hof/daniel-m-snyder/|website=Bender JCC of Greater Washington|access-date=May 13, 2017}} Snyder owns a private plane, a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express XRS.{{Cite web|url=https://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-Daniel-Snyder-Washington-Redskins/Bombardier-Global-Express-BD-700-1A10/3995849|title=Aviation Photo #3995849: Bombardier Global Express (BD-700-1A10) - Untitled (Daniel Snyder / Washington Redskins)|website=Airliners.net}}

In 2014, Snyder formed the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation to provide opportunities and resources to aid Tribal communities. The foundation was formed to address the challenges in the daily lives of Native Americans.[https://washingtonredskinsoriginalamericansfoundation.org/ "Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation"]. Snyder has also supported Children's National Hospital, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and other organizations.{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Hamil R.|title=Touched by Own Daughter's Crisis, Snyder Assists Children's Causes|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/03/01/touched-by-own-daughters-crisis-snyder-assists-childrens-causes/16d47e62-46d9-43e0-9a73-1abcef3b8172/|access-date=May 13, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 1, 2001}} In May 2014, Snyder and Tanya received the Charles B. Wang International Children's Award from the NCMEC.{{cite web|last1=Walker|first1=Andrew|title=Snyders Honored At Hope Awards|url=https://www.commanders.com/video/snyders-honored-at-hope-awards-12963911|website=Washington Commanders|access-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083307/http://www.redskins.com/community/article-1/Snyders-Honored-At-Hope-Awards/13bf9baa-7eaf-4528-a51e-24cd05bf09be|archive-date=November 15, 2017}} He contributed $100,000 to Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign and $300,000 to humanitarian aid organizations for people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.{{cite web |title=Here Are The Billionaires Who Donated To Donald Trump's 2020 Presidential Campaign |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michelatindera/2021/02/19/here-are-the-billionaires-who-donated-to-donald-trumps-2020-presidential-campaign/ |website=Forbes |accessdate=27 March 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Dan, Tanya Snyder donate $300K to Ukrainian response efforts |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/commanders/commanders-owners-dan-tanya-snyder-donate-300k-ukrainian-response-efforts |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=RSN |date=March 3, 2022 |language=en}}

In 2024, Snyder donated his 30,000 sq. ft. mansion, known as River House, to the American Cancer Society (ACS).{{Cite news |last=Jhabavala |first=Nicki |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Daniel Snyder pulls Maryland mansion from market, donates it to charity |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/03/21/daniel-snyder-house/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}} The property, which Snyder had purchased from the estate of King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan in 2001, had been on the market for over a year with an initial asking price of $49 million before being reduced to $34.9 million. The ACS plans to sell the property and use the proceeds to support its mission of improving the lives of cancer patients and their families.