Dear Danny

February 27, 2023

by Steve Thomas

Note from Steve Thomas: I was writing an innocent, respectful letter to the Washington owner, Mr. Snyder, when a hacker stole an early draft and threatened to post some of it online.  Therefore, in order to take back control from the hacker, I’m going to post the entire draft here for everyone to see.  All I was trying to do was to make some respectful recommendations to Mr. Snyder about his team, and was in the process of ironing out a few descriptions.  I’m sorry for any confusion.  Without further ado, here’s my full original, redlined draft[1]:

 

Dear Danny:

It’s been awhile since I dropped you a line, and in light of last week’s New York Post column (click here if you missed it, but I’m sure you saw it), it seemed like a good time to reiterate that you’ve driven away most of the fans, ruined one of the NFL’s historic franchises, and embarrassed yourself in front of the entire country drop you an encouraging line to help you keep your spirits up and to give you some advice.  I hope that you understand that the Redskins Washington Football Team Washington Commanders Washington fanbase despises you and wants you gone is still behind you and only wants the best for you and your family.

I’m here to make sure you leave in shame as soon as possible help during this trying time.  I know that you’re off-the-charts paranoid a little sensitive about criticism, so allow me to provide some reassurance: you’re a disaster this is going to work out in your favor.  In all seriousness, though, I have a bit of concern about the New York Post column – it seems to indicate that you may have some heartburn about selling to Jeff Bezos, and more importantly, it’s still not entirely clear that you’re actually going to sell.

That’s a problem, Danny.  We’re all rooting for you to go away in shame get full value for the team you ruined your franchise.  Don’t let your irrational and petty mentality concern over accurate and fair questionable reporting get in the way of funding your new life as a disgraced retired international multibillionaire.  Sure, the value of the franchise may not be exactly what you hoped since your incompetence and terrible management style drove away the fans and alienated both advertisers and politicians due to unfortunate current market conditions, but doesn’t mean you can’t come away with a victory here.  Somewhere between five and six billion – that’s billion with a “B” – is still far more money than you deserve enough to fund more Snyder generations than you can count.  And as far as Bezos goes, I assume that this story about you being leery about selling to him because of the Washington Post reporting is just you being petty a bargaining tactic.  You’re not very smart too smart to be that petty.  You probably won’t get close to $7 billion, but Bezos could drive the price up to over six, at least, one way or the other.  The honest truth is that the team isn’t worth more than about $6 billion anyway.  The Broncos sale fetched around $4.65M, and Washington shouldn’t be valued at more than 30% over that number.  Can you put aside your narcissism and admit that for once you’re not going to get what you want?  You’re a smart, reasonable guy, and I’m sure that you can accept that.

I’m worried about having to put up with you for one single additional moment the impact of you not being able to get the deal you hope for.  The NFL owners are pretty mad, Danny, and if you push them far enough, they might throw you out like yesterday’s trash take additional actions you may not like, however deserved undeserved they may be.  Why torture yourself over money when you already have a ton of it and are about to get several more tons?  What’s a half billion or so between friends?  It isn’t going to change your life.  If you don’t want to sell to Bezos, then fine; Josh Harris and others are waiting with offers.  But if Bezos does make a bigger offer, you should take it, notwithstanding the fact that the Post told the truth about your gross mismanagement, abhorrent personal conduct, and the terrible culture you personally established may have written about some questionable events.

My fervent hope respectful advice – you know that I’m always respectful – is that you get kicked to the curb like an old, size 7 shoe with holes in it the money you so richly deserve.  I’m always here to help if you need some advice or assistance with the business aspects of the sale.  Call me!  Let’s do lunch again sometime.

Sincerely,

 

Steve Thomas

P.S. – please credential us for training camp

 

 

[1] This piece may or may not be sarcasm.  I’ll let you decide.