The Washington Commanders have recently settled a $1.3 million lawsuit with the state of Virginia regarding their handling of season-ticket deposits under previous ownership. This settlement marks the last legal battle stemming from issues that occurred a decade ago.
As part of the settlement, the Commanders have agreed to return $600,000 to nearly 500 fans who were affected by the mishandling of the season-ticket deposits. Similar lawsuits with Maryland and the District of Columbia were settled in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares highlighted that the Commanders’ prior ownership unlawfully retained security deposits that should have been returned to consumers. He commended the team’s current ownership for cooperating with the investigation and taking steps to rectify the consumer harm that was identified.
The team was under the ownership of Dan Snyder at the time of the incident, but a new ownership group led by Josh Harris acquired the Commanders for a record-breaking $6.05 billion last year. The Commanders expressed their satisfaction with reaching a settlement that addresses issues that occurred under previous ownership.
In addition to the $600,000 restitution to affected fans, the Commanders have agreed to pay $600,000 in civil penalties and an additional $100,000 for attorneys’ fees and other costs related to the investigation. The investigation was initiated in 2022 and has now been successfully resolved with this settlement.
It is essential for sports teams to uphold ethical and legal standards in their dealings with fans and consumers. The Commanders’ cooperation with the investigation and their commitment to addressing the issues from the past demonstrate a willingness to prioritize consumer protection and transparency moving forward.
This settlement serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and responsibility in the sports industry. Fans should feel confident that their interests and rights are being safeguarded by the teams they support. By resolving this lawsuit and taking steps to rectify past mistakes, the Commanders are working towards rebuilding trust and upholding the integrity of their organization.