Redskins President Won't Change Name Even If New Stadium Gets Blocked

The leaders of the Washington Redskins are holding fast on their vow to not change the team name, even if they lose out on land for a new stadium because of it. From ESPN:

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Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen said the team will not reconsider changing its name — even if it’s a political barrier to a potential new stadium.

The Redskins have started the process of finding a new home, exploring potential sites in Maryland, where they now play; Washington, D.C., where they used to play; and Virginia, where they train. But Allen supplied a short answer when asked about changing the name stance to build a new home.

“No,” he said.

Despite protests from Native Americans and others, the Redskins have maintained they won’t change their longtime nickname. But Interior Secretary Sally Jewell opposes the team name, which could prove to be a hindrance if the Redskins want to return to Washington, D.C

Governors in Virginia and Maryland have said the Redskins name wouldn’t be a disqualifier for building a stadium there. The team’s lease in Maryland is up in 2026.

The National Park Service would come into play if the Redskins wanted to build at the RFK Stadium site in D.C.

“The team and its leaders are so obsessed with clinging to a dictionary-defined racial slur that they are willing to abandon their hometown and local fans in order to continue degrading Native Americans,” said Joel Barkin, spokesman for the grassroots Change the Mascot campaign, which includes some Native American tribes and politicians including President Obama.
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“Now that Bruce Allen has been relieved of day-to-day responsibilities as General Manager he must have a lot of free time on his hands to double down on this racist moniker and try to figure out what to do about Native Americans returning donations from the team,” Barkin continued. “Unfortunately, Bruce Allen, team owner Dan Snyder and the Washington team fail to understand that you cannot buy acceptance of continued racism. The NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell, and the other owners should immediately step forward now that the Washington team is publicly declaring its willingness to abandon Washington in order to retain its racial slur mascot.”

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