VA, Commanders Reach $1.3M Settlement Over Ticket Security Deposits

VIRGINIA — A $1.3 million settlement has been reached between the Washington Commanders football team and season ticket holders after the team was accused of failing to return ticket security deposits and other fees, according to the Virginia Attorney General's Office and reports.

Attorney General Jason Miyares confirmed the settlement in a statement posted on social media.

"Prior ownership unlawfully kept security deposits for years after they should have been returned to season ticket holders," Miyares said. "Now, that money is being repaid."

The settlement concludes a two-year investigation into how the team handled the return of season ticket deposits under former owner Dan Snyder.

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In 2022, the team resolved a similar lawsuit when it agreed to refund Maryland season-ticket holders and pay a $250,000 fine. In Washington, D.C., the team also paid $200,000 to fans who paid security deposits, in addition to paying $425,000 to resolve other allegations connected to the deposits, WTOP reported.

According to prosecutors, the team collected security deposits from season ticket holders and other purchasers of tickets for seats in luxury suites. Under its contracts with ticket holders, the team was required to return the deposits within 30 days after their contracts for seat licenses expired or were terminated.

The Commanders did not return the deposits to consumers unless they requested the return in writing, according to prosecutors who accused the team of violating the Consumer Protection Act when it failed to honor its contracts and return the deposit to consumers.

In 2009, a Washington Commander employee warned the team's management that the practice of retaining security deposits unless their return was requested in writing was illegal, prosecutors said.

“I think it’s safe to say that what we saw here with Washington is they just viewed their fans as a way to get a buck — the previous ownership, they way they treated their security deposits," Miyares told NBC Washington. "The new ownership recognized, listen, we inherited this, we bought this team. We’re going to take ownership of it."

More than $600,000 in deposits already have been returned to about 475 season-ticket holders as a result of the investigation, Miyares told NBC Washington. The team also agreed to pay $700,000 in penalties and fees.

In a statement sent to WTOP, a Commanders spokesperson said, “We are pleased that this settlement has been reached resolving issues that occurred under prior ownership.”

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