The Washington City Paper Calling Out Daniel Snyder in a November 19, 2010 article: The Cranky Redskins Fan's Guide to Dan Snyder. Snyder's legal counsel called article defamatory.We told you about this story back in November of last year (2010). You know, the one about the Washington City Paper calling (at least in art) Washington Redskin owner Dan Snyder a devil, and numbering at least 5 items (also lettered A-Z) why they think the name is appropriate?
Well, it seems the article has come back to haunt the paper, and unfortunately for fans and readers, appears to be just as haunting.
We will never know why Dan Snyder and his legal team (who, in court documents, calls the WCP a "tabloid") chose this very moment in football history - after all it is Super Bowl 45 week/weekend - to call the Washington City Paper (WCP) on the carpet (and sue the paper) for an article written last year, but it sure has rubbed Dan, and a lot of other folk the wrong way.
Snyder, (at least through his representative and legal counsel, David Donovan), alleges that the article, and the drawing, are anti-Semitic (Snyder is Jewish), and is an assasination on the character of both Snyder and his wife Tanya, who has battled breast cancer.
Donovan writes in a letter to the owners of WCP, Atalaya Capital Management LP in New York City: "Can you imagine how you would react if your wife was battling cancer and her public role as the NFL's national spokesperson on breast cancer awareness was demeaned as a mere public relations ploy to "sell" the "transformation" of her husband's public image?"
To that, the WCP responded, calling Snyder's attempt at suing the paper, "shabby": "It’s extremely unfortunate that Snyder believes that it is appropriate to threaten City Paper with litigation because he objects to our coverage. As a 30-year old newspaper and vibrant website committed to both in-depth news reporting and full-throated commentary, we do not believe that using the court system to stifle or chill free speech is ever appropriate. In this case, it’s especially shabby: As a well known public figure, Snyder has more than ample ability and resources to respond to coverage he does not like, including through his significant public relations apparatus. Lest there be any doubt, we have offered him a forum to do so in our pages, and that invitation stands. Should he elect to actually file a lawsuit, we have directed our counsel to defend the case vigorously."
DC UrbanSports spoke to Tanya Snyder the day the WCP story broke, to get her reaction. That was the same day that the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation was handing out Thanksgiving day turkeys and other food items to residents of Prince Georges county at FedEx Field, a yearly WRCF event.
"There's always going to be someone out there who has something negative to say about everything", said Tanya Snyder, wife of Dan Snyder.Some have said Snyder is suing the WCP to obtain money to make up for a loss of revenue due to lackluster season ticket sales during yet another dismal and disappointing football season. Some have said it's to recoup losses from the Albert Haynesworth saga. Others say its just a media ploy to get attention.
"We just have to keep going forward and be who we are." Dan Snyder is a wonderful, caring and very giving person. He always has been, and he tries really hard."
It appears Snyder and the WCP have butt heads before. A butting of heads that has even included the Kennedy namesake. According to court documents filed in New York City, Snyder allegedely dropped the Robert F. Kennedy name from the old RFK stadium after the Kennedy family expressed their concern over Snyder adding a cigar bar and a Hooters. Their 'concerns' were later aired out in the WCP.
Whether media driven or not, this latest Redskin saga has bought out the head public relations person at Redskin Park to defend Snyder. On a radio show yesterday, Redskins media and public relations VP, Tony Wyllie called the accusations a lie and an attack on Snyder's moral character. "We won't put up with lies. Once the lawsuit is filed, everyone will know the truth."
Wyllie states that should Snyder win the lawsuit all monies will "go to charity."
With so much drama coming out of the Redskin camp, so frequently, all one can really say is: Here we go again.
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Summons and Complaint
Exhibits: A, B, C, D
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