A cause of action

Just when you think there is nothing more Daniel Snyder can do to debase what was once a winning, well-run and, yes, cherished sports franchise, there come disgusting new revelations. This time, it is the disclosure that the team’s broadcast department secretly produced tawdry videos of outtakes of a cheerleader photo shoot, allegedly for the enjoyment of Snyder and other male executives. The video—along with new allegations from more women who say they were exploited while working for the team and a customarily dismissive response from Snyder—underscores the need for the National Football League to conduct its own investigation and take appropriate action.

The Post, which previously reported allegations from 17 women about a pattern of sexual harassment at the organization, said 25 additional women have stepped forward with claims of being marginalized, discriminated against and harassed. For the first time, one woman alleged misconduct directly by Snyder—a claim he has denied along with any knowledge of the videos.

Team executives who were implicated in The Post’s first report were either fired or abruptly retired. Snyder vowed a change in culture, retained a D.C. law firm to conduct an independent investigation and brought on board Jason Wright, a former NFL player and business executive, as president of the team, as well as Julie Donaldson to be the new senior vice president for media. The moves—along with Snyder’s capitulation to the need to change the team’s name—were seen as steps in the right direction.

But if, as Snyder promised, there were going to be a new era of transparency and accountability, why did he decline to answer questions about the videos (which had been provided to reporters by former employees) or the new allegations? And why was his first impulse after the article was published to label it “a hit job”?