Trump’s Bold Ultimatum: Stadium Deal at Risk Over Washington Commanders’ Name Change Back to Redskins

CLEVELAND (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is making waves again, this time over the names of sports teams. He is suggesting that he might delay a new stadium deal for Washington’s NFL team unless they revert to their old name, the Redskins. This name was dropped in 2020 after discussions about cultural sensitivity and racial justice.

Trump believes the team would be “much more valuable” if it returned to the Redskins name. He stated on social media that he might avoid making a deal for building a new stadium if the name doesn’t change back. However, the Washington Commanders and the D.C. government recently announced plans for a new stadium at the former RFK Stadium site. Both parties have said they do not plan to change the team name.

In a similar vein, Trump has called for Cleveland’s baseball team to go back to being called the Indians. The team switched to the Guardians in 2021 and has expressed no intention of changing it back. Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations for the Guardians, said they are excited about their future as the Guardians and made clear that their branding is established.

Historically, Washington’s team began in Boston as the Redskins in 1933 before moving to D.C. four years later. The name change was part of a greater acknowledgment of systemic racism. According to a 2021 survey by the Annenberg Institute, 67% of Americans support changing team names and mascots that are considered offensive to Indigenous peoples.

Trump’s statements reflect ongoing cultural debates in the U.S. Many people, including Native American activists, argue that these names perpetuate stereotypes and should remain changed. Supporters of the old names often cite tradition and the desire to maintain the teams’ legacies. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some supporters rallying behind Trump, while others condemn the push to revert back to the previous names as regressive.

Matt Dolan, who used to have a role with the Guardians, is also in the spotlight. Trump suggested that Dolan could win more elections if he reinstated the Indians name. Dolan ran for the U.S. Senate in Ohio but lost. It’s worth noting that within the Guardians’ ownership group is David Blitzer, who is also part of the Commanders’ ownership team. This connection highlights how interconnected sports teams can be, even when they are hundreds of miles apart.

As the public debate continues, both teams remain firm on their choices. It appears that the conversation around team names is far from over, with many voices weighing in on a matter that touches on identity, tradition, and respect.

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