The National Football League and team owner Dan Snyder have both released statements concerning allegations against the Washington Redskins.
The NFL said in the statement, “Everyone in the NFL has the right to work in an environment free from any and all forms of harassment ... We will meet with the attorneys upon the conclusion of their investigation and take any action based on the findings,” ESPN reported.
You can read the full statement here, or below.
Thursday, The Washington Post reported that 15 former employees of the Redskins were sexually harassed while they worked for the team.
The harassment and verbal abuse the women claimed happened was either ignored or condoned by the team’s executives.
Emily Applegate, who started working for the team in 2014, said she was told to wear a tight dress, “so the men in the room have something to look at,” the Post reported. She said a friend of hers was grabbed by a suiteholder during a game. The top sales executive was told but was indifferent, the Post reported.
The team has hired an attorney to review the allegations and “help the team set new employee standards of the future.”
Team officials said:
“The Washington Redskins football team takes issues of employee conduct seriously. ... While we do not speak to specific employee situations publicly, when new allegations of conduct are brought forward that are contrary to these policies, we address them promptly.”
The team’s owner, Daniel Snyder, would not grant the Post an interview despite multiple requests. But on Friday, he did release a statement reading in part, “The behavior described in yesterday’s Washington Post article has no place in our franchise or society.”
Read the statement here or below.
News of the allegations came days after the team announced it would be dropping its controversial logo and name, WRC reported. The change will happen after a review of the name, ABC News reported.
No name has been released, but Snyder and coach Ron Rivera will “develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition-rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years,” ABC News reported.
Click here to read more of The Washington Post’s investigation.