Colts' Jim Irsay Says NFL Owners Should Determine Daniel Snyder's Fate amid Probe

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay recently said he believes there should be consideration given to removing Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder, and he's reportedly hoping to get more involved in the process along with other owners around the NFL.

According to Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, on Friday Irsay "called the owners the NFL’s stakeholders and said that they, in his view, must take control of the process, rather than allow it to be directed by Commissioner Roger Goodell or the league."

Snyder is under investigation by the NFL regarding sexual assault allegations that surfaced against him in February, and Irsay said he believes it's warranted to discuss the consequences that should face Snyder.

He told the Post:

"I’m not sure how that report’s going to come out. But what already has come out is extremely disturbing, and I disagree with the process. And I most likely disagree that we haven’t discussed something more severe such as him being removed as owner. As I said, it’s not something that I’m saying we should do. I’m saying it’s something that has to be given serious consideration."

The last time Snyder and his regime came under investigation, the NFL fined the Commanders $10 million for "fostering a workplace culture where sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation were commonplace," per Will Hobson, Maske, Liz Clarke, Beth Reinhard of the Washington Post. It also resulted in Tanya Snyder, his wife and the team's co-CEO, assuming control of the franchise's daily operations.

However, Irsay said he wasn't happy with the lack of input the other owners had in the NFL's punishment at the time.

"It’s not just what was handed down, the $10 million fine and this so-called suspension that I still don’t really understand, because I told Roger and spoke about it at our meeting, that: 'Look, I’ve been in the league 52 years. I wasn’t even asked about this, not consulted one time,'" Irsay said.

His comments echo his previous declaration on Oct. 18 that he believes "there is merit" to removing Snyder as Commanders owner. The NFL requires a vote from at least 24 out of 32 owners to agree to remove an owner, and Irsay said that number "potentially" has been reached already.

The timing of Irsay's most recent comments is interesting, considering the Colts will face the Commanders this week.

"It’s unfortunate that Mr. Irsay continues to behave in a way that clearly is in violation of the constitution of the NFL," a Commanders spokesperson said in a statement to the Washington Post. "We look forward to playing his team on Sunday."