As with any ownership change, there was optimism in Washington on this date in 1999. Fast forward 22 years, and this was an era that fans would probably prefer to forget. On May 25, 1999, Daniel Snyder was approved as the new owner of the Washington NFL franchise.
The organization was up for sale following the death of former owner Jack Kent Cooke, and Snyder ponied up a then-record $800MM for the team and Jack Kent Cooke Stadium (which is now FedEx Field). Snyder’s first season at the helm was a success; his team won 10 games, the first time they hit double-digit victories since their Super Bowl-winning season in 1991. Since that time, the on-field product has been disappointing (to say the least).
Since Snyder took over as owner, the team has gone 149-202-1 with only six playoff appearance. The team has also shuffled through 10 head coaches, including four different coaches between 1999 and 2002. Snyder hasn’t necessarily endeared himself to fans during this time; he sued season ticket holders during a recession, he temporarily banned fans from bringing signs into his stadium, and he threatened a lawsuit against a local newspaper that detailed his various controversies.
Speaking of…Snyder has also found himself in a number of off-field controversies. The owner was at the forefront of the whole name-change fiasco, refusing to change the Redskins moniker until pressured by major sponsors in 2020. That same year, Snyder was a main player in a Washington Post series that detailed rampant sexual harassment and discrimination within the organization. All the while, Snyder has found himself engaged in a number of additional ventures. This includes sports radio, an Arena Football League team, Six Flags, and Johnny Rockets. Generally, these side hustled didn’t work out all that well.
Unfortunately for fans of WFT, it doesn’t sound like Snyder is going anywhere any time soon. After selling part of his ownership to pay off team debt, Snyder managed to repurchase the remaining 40.5-percent of the team this past March. The purchase was unanimously approved by league owners.
On this date in 1999, Washington fans were likely dreaming of a return to glory. Instead, these fans have endured plenty of controversies (along with rising ticket prices and parking) in exchange for a pair of playoff wins over two-plus decades.
Wait, in 22 years he has raised ticket prices AND parking? The cap is 400% higher than it was in 1999 I don’t know why raising prices is a problem.
“He’s actually a great guy and a brilliant owner. You guys should be happy to have him.”
NY Giants, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles
Cowboys fans have ZERO room to talk about an owner who sucks.
Good point, as it seems the WTF organization is only there for the table scraps anyway and only win the division when one of these squads don’t take it. This dumpster fire of a season was the perfect example; when all goes wrong everywhere these guys limp in to the playoffs.
Snyder seems like a very big Chungus individual
Redskins were their name.
couldn’t remember all the way back then, thanks for the trivia 🙂
PFTR too woke to put Redskins in the headline.
Not sure what you’re talking about we were always the Washington Football team we would never disrespect any communities like the Atlanta baseball team does
Not everyone is on board with the name change. Redskins was one of the last reminders that Native Americans once reigned here. Removing the name is just another way to erase their heritage (most Native Americans agree, it’s a minority that want the sports teams’ names changed). For heaven’s sake the logo was designed by a Blackfeet tribal chief, Walter Wetzel.
Snyder is not a good owner but I do give him credit for holding out against the name change as long as he did.
Could not agree more, I hate the name change. Although I think the name change was more of a city council/new stadium move then a worry about the FedEx sponsorship.
My first inkling that the Redskins were going to be in trouble was my first game with Danny as the owner. The stadium looked like a circus tent and there were 2 port a pots for the entire parking lot section. As soon as the ladies need to use the bathroom, inside you must go.
Daniel Snyder has run this team into the ground way too long. I like to think they are on the right track now, twenty years later….
Only because of $$$
PFTR, you trolling me? Why you think I need to be reminded of this. Just cruel guys.
Based until he changed the team name to WTF.
Wtf dan you used to be based
People get so animated about the team name. Funny grown men get so worked up over a sports team name and not a very good one either. The logo on the other hand, that was one of the best in sports. It’s a shame they couldn’t change the name to warriors or something while being able to keep the logo.
And that, children, was the last time anyone approved of Dan Snyder.