The Washington Commanders lost a huge supporter for their efforts of getting a new stadium in the state of Virginia. Wednesday night, Virginia state senator Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) made a press release that he was pulling his vote for stadium funding for the Commanders.
“I don’t have confidence in the Washington Commanders as a viable NFL franchise,” Petersen said among other things in his statement.
On Thursday he made his rounds to local radio to elaborate beyond his statement. While appearing on 106.7 the Fan’s BMitch and Finlay, Petersen made an apparent contradictory statement in bashing the future of the Commanders.
“The team has no brand, it has no identity and you’re asking the Commonwealth of Virginia to enter into a long-term financial contract,” Petersen told Brian Mitchell and JP Finlay.
But later in the interview, Petersen said it may be better to get an expansion team.
“The irony is would this be easier to do with an expansion team?” Petersen pondered. “The answer might be yes.”
Did Senator Petersen contradict himself?
Wait… He just said the Commanders have no brand or history. That sounds like an expansion team, right? The Commanders were the Washington Redskins from 1937 until 2020 when the team dropped the moniker after pressure from Native Americans, some fans and sponsors. The term “Redskins” is viewed as disparaging to Natives.
The team held the temporary name of “Washington Football Team” from 2020 until this past February. It was then, the team officially changed its moniker to Commanders. There’s a great deal of criticism following the name change.
There are fans that were upset with the name no longer being “Redskins” and fans who simply disapprove of the choice of “Commanders.”
Petersen was a long-time supporter of getting the Washington NFL franchise to move its home stadium to Virginia, where the team is headquartered. He was an original member of the “Redskins Caucus.”
Could this be more about the name change? Could it be his disapproval of Commanders owner Dan Snyder?
Petersen’s stance about Commanders’ name change or owner Dan Snyder?
Snyder has drawn the ire of many fans due to the team’s lack of success on the field. But largely, the off-field drama, including multiple investigations of sexual harrasment within the organization. The latest is as a result of allegations directly of Snyder. Fans pointed to both theories on social media.
It’s worth noting, Petersen stressed in his statement Wednesday he was a “Redskins fan” and that he is “not taking a stand against anybody.” Then he pointed out “The Washington Commanders are not the Washington Redskins.”
If a reader is taking his words for what it’s worth, then Petersen may not necessarily be directing his ire towards Snyder or any alleged wrongdoing by Snyder. It’s hard not to consider the name change playing a large factor.
Yes, branding and identity may be a concern for a team that has waning support. Yet, that may not necessarily be the true purpose of Petersen’s stance.
However, it’s clear he doesn’t view the Commanders as the Redskins. He also doesn’t think the Commanders are more viable than an expansion team.
Petersen said a lot more. And his full quotes give some context. But the highlights of comments will surely have a difference of opinion towards his motives for pulling his vote for a new Commanders stadium.
