Swanson departs Redskins, Wyllie top candidate

Karl Swanson, a long time Washington Redskins PR executive, has resigned.  For the past 15 years, Swanson has served as the top aide to Snyder in terms of public relations and handling the media on behalf of Snyder.

Swanson was one of just two senior-level executives who’ve been with Snyder since the owner took over control of team in 1999. Rarely dealing with roster moves or football decisions, Swanson often spoke on behalf of Snyder, who limits his media availabilities. When headlines centered on the team’s off-the-field activities — from ticket and concession prices to FedEx Field parking and tailgating restrictions — Swanson was often the one who took charge.

Swanson’s departure could be viewed as yet another sign of a culture change at Redskins Park. He was the subject of a lengthy Post profile last fall, written by Paul Farhi. According to the piece: "Over the years, Swanson’s approach to media relations has alienated some of the Redskins’ own public relations staff. The team has had seven directors of communications during Snyder’s 11-year ownership, a rate that exceeds the turnover in the head coaching job. … One of the former PR directors, John Konoza, lasted three days. His replacement, John Maroon, lasted a year."

Swanson insists that his departure had nothing to do with the actual position, but more to do with family reasons.

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We’ve heard from some sources at Redskins Park who say Swanson is leaving on his volition, and that team owner Daniel Snyder would’ve been happy to have him around for a long time. There are family reasons behind the move.

“Today is my last day working at Redskins Park.

Family responsibilities truly are most important, though too often we resist that notion. For me, not any longer, and Dan Snyder has been totally supportive and understanding of the situation.

The latest news is that Tony Wyllie is the favorite for the position.  He has held a similar position for ten seasons with the Houston Texans.  Yet again, another connection with Shanahan, given Kyle Shanahan’s ties to Houston.

Say what you want about this move, that Swanson may be leaving on his own terms, but it looks more and more like another stamp on the franchise by Mike Shanahan.  That to me is a good thing.  A cultural change for the better is never easy and has to occur at the very top and filter its way through the organization.

Swanson has always been considerate to us in the past, responding to emails and requests for information.  I have no beef with Swanson in that respect.  Given Swanson’s role and responsibility for media and public relations for Snyder, how can one actually deem Swanson’s strategy a success.   There has never been a real effort or thrust to reassert a more positive vibe for Snyder.  The media strategy of alienating major media, like the Washington Post, was ill-advised and quite frankly, assinine.  The PR job with tickets, tailgate changes, and other fan oriented event changes has been disastrous, at best.

In essence, the Redskinsdesperately needed a PR shakeup and I can’t help but think this has a Mike Shanahan nod.  If so, kudos to you Shanny.

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http://dcprosportsreport.com/2010/05/04/swaonson-departs-redskins-wyllie-top-candidate/