There has been a not so quiet battle between those who think the Washington Redskins should change their name and those who don’t. Many believe that the name is offensive, while those defending the name argue that there is a long history associated with it. Well, now it looks like the war is over.
This Wednesday, June 18th, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled six federal trademark registrations held by the Redskins. They cited that the name is, “disparaging to Native Americans, and cannot be trademarked under federal law that prohibits trademark protection on offensive or disparaging language.”
Sports Illustrated reported, that earlier this month, the team had hired a lobbying consultant to help improve the team’s image. This was after multiple senators sent letters to the NFL voicing their vote that the team change their name. Dan Snyder, owner of the Redskins, is adamant against changing the team’s name. The Washington Examiner quoted Senate Democratic Leader, Harry Reid, saying, “Daniel Snyder might be the last person in the world to realize this, but it is just a matter of time until he is forced to do the right thing and change the name.”
The Trademark Trial and Appeals Board announced the name is subject for cancellation for “entertainment services -namely, football exhibitions rendered in stadia and through the media of radio and television broadcasts.” The teams cheerleading squad, “The Redskinettes,” will also be forced to pick another name.
The controversy over the team name is timing up perfectly with the recent scandal involving Donald Sterling and the L.A. Clippers. While the tension in D.C. might not be as high strung as the situation in L.A. demanded it be, the comparisons are uncanny. In the end, Synder will most likely be forced to change his team’s name, even if it doesn’t happen before this years season.
Photo: AP
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