Dan Snyder Subpoenas Another Writer, Continues His Charade Of Lunacy

Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder’s reputation as the worst, most incompetent media manager in sports is well-earned, and yet, he somehow keeps one-upping himself. Last week, he subpoenaed the writer of one of D.C.‘s most popular sports blogs, the Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg. Because as they say, it’s always smart to antagonize someone with a direct channel to hundreds of thousands of your customers.

Then he took to the airwaves in D.C. to conduct some blatantly scripted interviews with local broadcasters who apparently agreed to help stroke Dan’s ego in exchange for the access. That sounds pretty common, sure, but when you read the questions it’s even better.

Deadspin has the full details over here, and you should check it out, if only for the window it provides into how billionaires can control the media, and what happens when that gets taken too far. A few highlights are after the jump.

Please, admire the shamelessnes of Fox 5’s Dave Feldman.

“This past weekend, Redskins charitable foundation renovated a football field in Pittsburgh. Today, you gave away a scholarship to someone who I understand is a very impressive youngster. ... You don’t always publicize them. You don’t always get credit for them. How important are these charities for you? ... There are so many people, Dan, that would benefit from this and so many great stories ... How do you pick and choose? It must be difficult.”

“You grew up here, Dan. You are a self made man. I get it that every owner in the NFL is open for criticism. ...It seems sometimes for a guy who is just such a fan and who cares so much and who made his own way successfully, gives back to charity, it seems sometimes you are a lightning rod for criticism, and I’m not sure I understand why. I don’t know if you understand why. Is that just part of the gig?”

“Favorite band? Are you a music guy?”

“Got a favorite movie of all time, Dan?”

“Got a favorite color, Dan? Pepsi or Coke?”

It’s not to single out any one reporter, since NBC 4’s Lindsay Czarniak served up similar softballs. Besides, however depressing this may be to journalists, it’s just as impressive for its restraint.

(Full disclosure: I’m in love with Lindsay Czarniak)

Honestly, I don’t know if you could find anyone else in D.C. who could sit there and cower to Snyder’s demands like that. He’s been that aggressively terrible as an owner, and that obnoxious as a human being. Just sitting face-to-face with Snyder would be enough to send most Washingtonians over the edge and into a sea of profanities and/or violence.

So here’s to giving the local news crews the benefit the doubt on this. If I had to interview Dan Snyder without spitting in his face, I’d probably blackout and ask about his favorite movie, too. Oh, and as for Snyder’s answer to that question? “No, no favorite movie,” he said.

...No, not until Snyder finances that documentary about his charity work.