Ownership of the Washington Redskins provides perhaps the most visible platform from which to try and lobby Congress, pass legislation, speak with lobbyists and interact with the media in the nation's capital. There's a lot of value associated with that.
This is a testament to Dan Snyder's ability to run and manage an entertainment-based business. His success with the Redskins has been nothing short of phenomenal. It shows he knew what he was doing when he paid a then-record $800 million for this franchise.