Former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has donated his $35 million DC home to the American Cancer Society after being unable to sell it.
In February 2023, the billionaire and his wife Tanya Snyder listed the five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom mansion in Potomac, Maryland, on the market for $49 million.
A few months later, the couple lowered the price of the 30,000-square-foot property to $34.9 million before deciding to take it off the market in March.
Rather than wait for the massive home to sell, the couple decided to donate to the American Cancer Society, which plans to remarket the property for $34.9 million — as the Snyders did.
It’s unclear exactly why the couple decided to donate to charity, but donating a home can provide significant tax benefits. The American Cancer Society said Dan and Tanya are “passionate advocates” for cancer research.
Former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder and his wife Tanya Snyder donated their 30,000-square-foot home to the American Cancer Society
Snyder initially asked $49 million for the home, but has now decided to donate it before putting it back on the market
Synder and his wife Tanya lowered the price to $34.9 million before deciding to take it off the market in March
David H. Kirk, national tax partner at Ernst & Young, explains The Wall Street Journal if the Snyder’s held title to a property for more than a year before donating the $35 million home, they can deduct its fair market value from their taxable income.
By donating the house, the Snyder’s will also no longer have to pay property taxes on the house, which sits on 13.5 acres.
Another benefit is that they do not have to extend the sale of the mansion as the charity is now responsible for the sale and the price of the house.
Snyder purchased the lot from the estate of Jordan’s King Hussein and Queen Noor and completed the housing development in 2004, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The limestone mansion is surrounded by gates and is lavishly decorated with high ceilings, white cornices, French doors, enormous windows and spiral staircases.
It also comes with a large theater room, decorated with red furniture, hardwood accents and a huge projection screen.
The back of the house is complete with a large entertaining area with an indoor and outdoor patio, a large in-ground pool and a large lawn.
There is also a two-bedroom guest house, a burgundy and gold basketball court, and a 12-car garage on the property.
Snyder purchased the plot from the estate of Jordan’s King Hussein and Queen Noor and completed housing construction in 2004
The limestone mansion is lavishly decorated with high ceilings, white cornices, French doors, massive windows and spiral staircases
The back of the house is complete with a large entertaining area with an indoor and outdoor patio
There is also a two-bedroom guesthouse, a burgundy and gold basketball court, and a 12-car garage on the property.
Luxury amenities include a home theater
The property also has two solariums, a wine cellar, a formal dining area, a library and a huge kitchen
It has two solariums, a wine cellar, a formal dining area, a library and a huge kitchen.
Daniel Heider, a local agent for TTR Sotheby’s International, said the property is extremely tailor-made for a family “that doesn’t necessarily have to deal with a kitchen.”
“There aren’t many people in Washington who are throwing up their hands to pay almost $50 million,” Heider said.
Kirk emphasized that it can be more difficult for charities to secure a house donation than a cash or stock donation.
“The charges on large houses can be a burden on the charities themselves,” he said.
Kael Reicin, chief financial and strategy officer for the American Cancer Society, said the charity felt prepared to take over the Snyder’s ownership because it already manages real estate.
The charity runs Hope Lodges, which provides free accommodation to cancer patients and their families near hospitals across the province.
Reicin revealed that the American Cancer Society invested in the property’s maintenance and operating costs prior to the donation so that it can remain intact for potential buyers.
He added that the charity has considered using the mansion for marketing events before selling it.
“Proceeds from the gift will be unrestricted and used to further the mission of ACS,” the American Cancer Society said.
The charity added that the Snyder’s are “passionate advocates” for cancer research, as Tanya herself is a cancer survivor.
According to the N.F.LTanya survived breast cancer, while Dan survived a bout of thyroid cancer in 2001.
Tanya became the national spokeswoman for the NFL’s “Crucial Catch” breast cancer awareness campaign.
The campaign has raised more than $27 million since its launch in 2009. During week six of the NFL season, the campaign is honored by players and coaches wearing pink clothing and shoes for breast cancer awareness.
In 2023, Snyder sold the NFL team to Josh Harris after an investigation into Snyder that resulted in a $60 million fine from the NFL.
The NFL launched an investigation into misconduct and financial irregularities by Snyder after allegations made by former team employee Tiffani Johnston during a 2022 Congressional roundtable came to light.
According to the NFL, White and her colleagues spent 17 months conducting an extensive independent investigation that included interviews with dozens of witnesses, sometimes multiple times, a review of more than 10,000 documents and assistance from a team of forensic accountants.
“The conduct substantiated in Ms. White’s findings has no place in the NFL,” Goodell said.
Johnston, a former Commanders cheerleader and marketing manager, told members of a House Oversight Committee that Snyder had made sexual advances on her. Snyder has denied Johnston’s claims, calling them “outright lies.”
In 2023, Snyder sold the NFL team to Josh Harris following an investigation into misconduct and financial irregularities against him that resulted in a $60 million fine from the NFL.
The American Cancer Society said the Snyder’s are “passionate advocates” for cancer research, as Tanya herself is a cancer survivor. In 2001, Dan survived a battle with thyroid cancer
According to White’s report, she accepted the allegation that Snyder, without consent, placed his hand on Johnston’s thigh under a restaurant table during a work-related dinner.
White also said Johnston’s claim that Snyder pushed her into the backseat of his car in an attempt to get her to join him after dinner.
During Snyder’s tenure, the team was criticized for its now former nickname, the Redskins, which is considered offensive to Native Americans.
Snyder fought against the change for years, but Washington finally dropped the “Redskins” name in 2020 amid a wave of criticism amid the George Floyd protests.
That change — first to the placeholder “Washington Football Team” and then to “Commanders” — also angered many fans and conservatives.
Snyder became wealthy in the 1990s after selling his communications company to a French advertising conglomerate for $2 billion.
The longtime Redskins fan spent $800 million on the club in 1999 but failed to build a successful culture in Washington amid battles with executives, minority partners, local government officials, the NFL, the media and, most importantly, disgruntled fans .