Title: Virginia Attorney General Announces $1.3 Million Settlement with Commanders Over Unlawful Security Deposits

In a significant development, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has announced a $1.3 million settlement with the Commanders, a professional sports team. This settlement comes after prior ownership of the team unlawfully held on to security deposits that should have been returned to season ticket holders. Miyares expressed his satisfaction with the resolution, stating that the money is now being repaid to those affected.

The Commanders have acknowledged the settlement and expressed their contentment with the resolution of the issue that occurred under previous ownership. The team has already returned over $600,000 to season ticket holders as part of the settlement, demonstrating their commitment to remedying past grievances. Additionally, they have paid $700,000 in penalties and costs.

While the current ownership is responsible for making these payments, it is likely that the purchase price of the team already accounted for the liability that the new owners, led by Josh Harris and company, would acquire from previous owner Dan Snyder.

Attorney General Miyares commented on the alarming treatment of season ticket holders, stating, "What we saw here with Washington is they just viewed their fans as a way to get a buck - the previous ownership, [the] way they treated their security deposits." He further highlighted the importance of the new ownership taking responsibility for the actions of the prior administration, stating, "The new ownership recognized, listen, we inherited this, we bought this team. We're going to take ownership of it."

This is not the first agreement reached regarding the ongoing security deposit controversy. The Commanders had previously reached a deal with Maryland, resulting in the return of security deposits to season ticket holders and payment of a $250,000 penalty. Furthermore, an additional $200,000 in repayments and a $425,000 fine were paid to settle claims related to the team's previous practices of collecting and retaining these deposits in Washington, D.C.

The settlement with the Virginia Attorney General's office marks a significant step forward in rectifying the misconduct of the prior ownership of the Commanders. This resolution ensures that season ticket holders are rightfully compensated for the withheld security deposits. The commitment shown by the current ownership to address these issues is commendable, as they continue to work towards rebuilding trust with their loyal fan base.

As the Commanders move forward under new leadership, it is hoped that this settlement will serve as a reminder to all sports organizations to prioritize the fair treatment of their fans and the ethical handling of financial matters.