Former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder donated his $35 million D.C. home to the American Cancer Society after failing to sell it.
In February 2023, the billionaire and his wife, Tanya Snyder, built the five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom mansion. 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.
Instead of waiting for the sprawling home to sell, the couple decided to donate to the American Cancer Society, which plans to put the property back on the market for $34.9 million, like the Snyders did.
It’s unclear exactly why the couple decided to donate to the charity, but donating a home can provide significant tax benefits. The American Cancer Society said Dan and Tanya are “passionate advocates” of 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 for $49 million for the house, 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, said The Wall Street Journal If the Snyders held title to a property for more than a year before donating the $35 million home, they can deduct the fair market value from their taxable income.
By donating the home, the Snyders no longer have to pay property taxes on the home which sits on 13.5 acres.
Another benefit is that they will not have to prolong the sale of the mansion as the charity is now in charge of the sale and pricing of the house.
Snyder purchased the lot from the estate of King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan and completed construction of the house in 2004, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The limestone mansion is surrounded by doors and is intricately decorated with high ceilings, white crown molding, French doors, huge windows, and spiral staircases.
It also has a large cinema room decorated with red furniture, wooden details and a huge projection screen.
The rear of the home is completed with a large entertaining space including an indoor and outdoor patio, large in-ground pool and 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 lot from the estate of King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan and completed construction of the house in 2004.
The limestone mansion is intricately decorated with high ceilings, white crown molding, French doors, huge windows, and spiral staircases.
The rear of the home is completed with a large entertaining space that includes an indoor and outdoor patio.
There is also a two-bedroom guest house, 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 room, a library and a huge kitchen.
It has two solariums, a wine cellar, a formal dining room, a library and a huge kitchen.
Daniel Heider, a local agent with TTR Sotheby’s International, said the property was extremely personalized for a family “that doesn’t interact with a kitchen, per se.”
“There aren’t many people in Washington who have raised their hands to pay almost $50 million,” Heider said.
Kirk emphasized that it may be more difficult for charities to receive a donation of a house than a donation of cash or stock.
“The maintenance costs of large houses can put 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 Snyder’s property because it already manages real estate.
The charity runs Hope Lodges, which provides free accommodation for cancer patients and their families near hospitals across the county.
Reicin revealed that the American Cancer Society invested in the operating and maintenance costs of the property before 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 donation will be unrestricted and used to further the mission of ACS,” the American Cancer Society said.
The charity added that the Snyders are “passionate advocates” of cancer research, as Tanya herself is a cancer survivor.
According to the NFLTanya survived breast cancer, while Dan survived a bout with thyroid cancer in 2001.
Tanya became the national spokesperson for the NFL’s ‘Crucial Catch’ breast cancer awareness campaign.
The campaign has raised more than $27 million since its launch in 2009. During the sixth week of the NFL season, the campaign is honored when players and coaches wear pink clothing and cleats to raise awareness for breast cancer.
In 2023, Snyder sold the NFL team to Josh Harris following 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 at a 2022 congressional roundtable came to light.
According to the NFL, White and his colleagues conducted an exhaustive independent investigation over 17 months that included interviews with dozens of witnesses, sometimes on multiple occasions, a review of more than 10,000 documents and the assistance of a team of forensic accountants.
“Conduct based on Ms. White’s conclusions has no place in the NFL,” Goodell said.
Johnston, a former cheerleader and marketing manager for the Commanders, told members of a House Oversight Committee that Snyder made sexual advances toward her. Snyder has denied Johnston’s claims, calling them “blatant lies.”
In 2023, Snyder sold the NFL team to Josh Harris following a misconduct and financial irregularities investigation into him that resulted in a $60 million fine from the NFL.
The American Cancer Society said the Snyders are “passionate advocates” of cancer research, as Tanya herself is a cancer survivor. In 2001, Dan survived a bout with thyroid cancer.
According to White’s report, she accepted the claim that Snyder, without consent, put his hand on Johnston’s thigh under a restaurant table during a work-related dinner.
White also said Johnston’s allegation that Snyder pushed her into the back seat of his car in an effort to get her to join him after dinner holds water.
During Snyder’s tenure, the team was criticized for its former nickname, the Redskins, which was considered offensive to Native Americans.
Snyder fought the change for years, but Washington finally dropped the ‘Redskins’ name in 2020 under a wave of scrutiny amid the George Floyd protests.
That change (first to the ‘Washington Football Team’ placeholder 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 in a $2 billion deal.
The longtime Redskins fan splashed $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 of all, fans. dissatisfied.
