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JOE REEDY and ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON, Associated
Guest
CLEVELAND (AP) — President Donald Trump is threatening to hold up a new stadium deal for Washington's NFL team if it does not restore its old name of the Redskins, which was considered offensive to Native Americans.
The Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians have had their current names since the 2022 seasons and both have said they have no plans to change them back.
‘Let’s bring the Commanders home’: Bowser, Washington Commanders announce nearly $3 billion RFK Stadium deal
Trump said the Washington football team would be “much more valuable” if it restored its old name.
“I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington," Trump said on his social media site.
His latest interest in changing the name reflects his broader effort to roll back changes that followed a national debate on cultural sensitivity and racial justice. The team announced it would drop the Redskins name and the Indian head logo in 2020 during a broader reckoning with systemic racism and police brutality.
The Commanders and the District of Columbia government announced a deal earlier this year to build a new home for the football team at the site of the old RFK Stadium, the place the franchise called home for more than three decades.
Trump's ability to hold up the deal remains to be seen. President Joe Biden signed a bill in January that transferred the land from the federal government to the District of Columbia.
The provision was part of a short-term spending bill passed by Congress in December. While D.C. residents elect a mayor, a city council and commissioners to run day-to-day operations, Congress maintains control of the city’s budget.
Josh Harris, whose group bought the Commanders from former owner Dan Snyder in 2023, said earlier this year the name was here to stay. Not long after taking over, Harris quieted speculation about going back to Redskins, saying that would not happen. The team did not immediately respond to a request for comment following Trump's statement.
“Now in this building, the name Commanders means something,” Harris said during a news conference in February. “It’s about players who love football, are great at football, hit hard, are mentally tough, great teammates. So, it’s really meaningful that that name is growing in meaning.”
‘This is not the right investment for our city’: Washington Commanders RFK Stadium deal draws mixed reactions from DC Council
The Washington team started in Boston as the Redskins in 1933 before moving to the nation’s capital four years later.
The name changes had their share of supporters and critics as part of the national discussions about logos and names considered racist.
Trump posted on his social media website Truth Social Sunday, writing, “I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington,.”
DC council is still debating the stadium deal, which includes a 65,000-seat, covered stadium on the old RFK Stadium site. The deal is worth nearly $4 billion, with D.C. taxpayers on the hook for $1 billion.
Although the exclusive agreement rights between the District and the team ended last week, council members have maintained they are actively working on a deal. Two public hearings are set for next week.
“I am focused on getting the best stadium deal for District taxpayers and getting the deal across the finish line. I have heard from no–zero District residents, complaining about the name change or saying this is an issue in connection with the stadium," Chairman Phil Mendelson said in a statement.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said the name of the team makes no difference to her in her desire to bring the team back to D.C.
“I think we should focus on doing our part,” she said. “I have worked for the better part of 10 years to do our part. Including getting control of the land, coming to an agreement with the team and advancing a fantastic agreement to the council. So we need to do our part. Let’s focus on our part.”
It’s unclear how much influence Trump could have on the stadium deal.
‘We will not be left with another RFK Stadium’: Maryland Governor reacts to Washington Commanders’ return to DC
Fans were mixed on the possibility of a name change Monday.
“I would rather they switch the name back. I’m so used to it, 20-something years you say Redskins,” said longtime fan Joseph Allen. “I can do both Redskins or Commanders, [but] I’m going to choose Redskins. I’m on board for the team. I’m on board for the team no matter what the name is.”
Others are adamantly against it.
“The ship has sailed. I think it’s a racist slur,” longtime fan Jermaine Johnson said. “We had a good last year as the Commanders, and the name has caught some momentum. It’s all about winning. If the team wins, it doesn’t matter what the name is, but no.”
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The Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians have had their current names since the 2022 seasons and both have said they have no plans to change them back.
‘Let’s bring the Commanders home’: Bowser, Washington Commanders announce nearly $3 billion RFK Stadium deal
Trump said the Washington football team would be “much more valuable” if it restored its old name.
“I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington," Trump said on his social media site.
His latest interest in changing the name reflects his broader effort to roll back changes that followed a national debate on cultural sensitivity and racial justice. The team announced it would drop the Redskins name and the Indian head logo in 2020 during a broader reckoning with systemic racism and police brutality.
The Commanders and the District of Columbia government announced a deal earlier this year to build a new home for the football team at the site of the old RFK Stadium, the place the franchise called home for more than three decades.
Trump's ability to hold up the deal remains to be seen. President Joe Biden signed a bill in January that transferred the land from the federal government to the District of Columbia.
The provision was part of a short-term spending bill passed by Congress in December. While D.C. residents elect a mayor, a city council and commissioners to run day-to-day operations, Congress maintains control of the city’s budget.
Josh Harris, whose group bought the Commanders from former owner Dan Snyder in 2023, said earlier this year the name was here to stay. Not long after taking over, Harris quieted speculation about going back to Redskins, saying that would not happen. The team did not immediately respond to a request for comment following Trump's statement.
“Now in this building, the name Commanders means something,” Harris said during a news conference in February. “It’s about players who love football, are great at football, hit hard, are mentally tough, great teammates. So, it’s really meaningful that that name is growing in meaning.”
‘This is not the right investment for our city’: Washington Commanders RFK Stadium deal draws mixed reactions from DC Council
The Washington team started in Boston as the Redskins in 1933 before moving to the nation’s capital four years later.
The name changes had their share of supporters and critics as part of the national discussions about logos and names considered racist.
Trump posted on his social media website Truth Social Sunday, writing, “I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington,.”
DC council is still debating the stadium deal, which includes a 65,000-seat, covered stadium on the old RFK Stadium site. The deal is worth nearly $4 billion, with D.C. taxpayers on the hook for $1 billion.
Although the exclusive agreement rights between the District and the team ended last week, council members have maintained they are actively working on a deal. Two public hearings are set for next week.
“I am focused on getting the best stadium deal for District taxpayers and getting the deal across the finish line. I have heard from no–zero District residents, complaining about the name change or saying this is an issue in connection with the stadium," Chairman Phil Mendelson said in a statement.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said the name of the team makes no difference to her in her desire to bring the team back to D.C.
“I think we should focus on doing our part,” she said. “I have worked for the better part of 10 years to do our part. Including getting control of the land, coming to an agreement with the team and advancing a fantastic agreement to the council. So we need to do our part. Let’s focus on our part.”
It’s unclear how much influence Trump could have on the stadium deal.
‘We will not be left with another RFK Stadium’: Maryland Governor reacts to Washington Commanders’ return to DC
Fans were mixed on the possibility of a name change Monday.
“I would rather they switch the name back. I’m so used to it, 20-something years you say Redskins,” said longtime fan Joseph Allen. “I can do both Redskins or Commanders, [but] I’m going to choose Redskins. I’m on board for the team. I’m on board for the team no matter what the name is.”
Others are adamantly against it.
“The ship has sailed. I think it’s a racist slur,” longtime fan Jermaine Johnson said. “We had a good last year as the Commanders, and the name has caught some momentum. It’s all about winning. If the team wins, it doesn’t matter what the name is, but no.”
Continue reading...