Dan Snyder’s Commanders facing fresh controversy with season ticket holder claiming team’s $14,000 check bounced
The Washington Commanders find themselves embroiled in another controversy, this time involving a charity raffle. Season ticket holder Drew Shipley won $14k in the team's Foundation raffle. The raffle took place on Sept. 11 in Week 1 of the season opener versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Shipley called out to the franchise on social media asking for his money prior to asking his ticket representative to reach out to the Commanders.
In response, Shipley commented on who he should speak to about getting his money, saying:
“Who am I supposed to talk to? Am I supposed to call Dan Snyder myself?”
Shipley referred to the team's embattled owner, who has been in the middle of several scandals.
Just talked to Drew Shipley, the @Commanders
fan whose $14kprize check from the team bounced after winning the 50/50 raffle week 1. The team paid him what he was owed this afternoon but he remains stunned. "Who am I supposed to talk to? Am I supposed to call Dan Snyder myself?" https://t.co/dSndJ8xBIT
On Oct. 13, a check for $14,822 from the Commanders finally showed up at Shipley’s home. He deposited the check with his bank, only to be informed by the bank that the check had bounced. Expecting a huge payday, Shipley was fined $15 for a bad check fee instead. A representative for the Commanders said Shipley’s check had bounced, blaming the bounced check on a “bank error.”
The spokesperson added in an email to local news station WUSA9 that the situation has been resolved:
“We reached out directly to the fan as soon as we learned about it and have wired the money directly to his account, and apologized for the inconvenience."
Commanders statement on bounced check from a 50-50 raffle mentioned on @Russellmania621 show.
"We reached out directly to the fan as soon as we learned about it and have wired the money directly to his account, and apologized for the inconvenience. It was a bank error."…@wusa9 https://t.co/XQrXlhkvL9
The scandals surrounding the Commanders franchise
On top of the charity raffle ordeal, the franchise is still dealing with allegations against Dan Snyder. The franchise owner faces claims of sexual harassment by two former employees. Tiffani Johnston claimed Snyder touched her leg and attempted to shove her into his limo. A second claimed he groped her and tried to disrobe her in the back of a private plane.
Snyder reportedly said that he has "dossiers of dirt" on other NFL owners as he could be in jeopardy of losing his team. Owners like Jim Irsay of the Indianapolis Colts have shared their thoughts on Snyder:
“You have to protect the shield to protect the league, and I don’t like to see the shield damaged. And right now, the shield is taking some damage from all this.”
We'll see if the franchise can generate a positive headline or two in the near future.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit WUSA9, Sports Illustrated and H/T Sportskeeda.