DC Mayor: Redskins Name is an ‘obstacle’ to new stadium being in DC

The Washington Redskins have dealt with controversy surrounding the team’s name for many years. The term is considered a “racial slur” by some. Many have called for a name change in response. The name Redskins now may be a obstacle in the team moving back to Washington, DC.

Appearing on Team980, DC mayor Muriel Bowser says the city of DC provides the “best location” for a new stadium. However, the team’s name is an “obstacle” in them moving back to DC.

On if the Redskins name is an obstacle:

“It is an obstacle. It’s an obstacle for us locally but is also an obstacle for the federal government who leases the land to us.” – @MayorBowser

— The Team 980 (@team980) June 12, 2020

The Redskins have played their home games at FedEx Field in nearby Landover, Maryland in Prince George’s County since 1997. Their headquarters and practice facilities are located in Ashburn, Virginia.

The Redskins previously announced they had plans of a new stadium once their lease at FedEx Field expires in 2027. They’ve had talks with officials in PG County, Virginia and DC for possible sites for a new stadium.

The site of the Redskins’ previous DC home, RFK Stadium, may be the best. But, the team’s name has been a huge contingent over the past few years.

In 2013, then city mayor Vincent Gray proclaimed a change in the team name may need to happen for the city to sell the idea of building a new stadium. The Washington Post reported in 2015 the Obama administration told Mayor Bowser the National Park Service “won’t accommodate” the construction of a new stadium unless the team changes its name.

A Washington Post poll in 2016 suggested 9 out of 10 Native Americans are not offended by the team name. However, Native American groups have rallied in protest of the team’s name prior to games throughout recent years.

The Redskins participated in #BlackoutTuesday in support of Black Lives Matters, last week. The gesture was met with a heavy dose of criticism about the team’s name.

(@MayorBowser ) on the name “Redskins”:

“I think it’s past time for the team to deal with what offends so many people and this is a great franchise with a great history that’s beloved in Washington and it deserves a name that reflects the affection that we’ve built for the team”— The Team 980 (@team980) June 12, 2020

The land RFK Stadium sits on is owned by the federal government. The city tried but failed to obtain the land in a bill in 2019 that would have sidestepped public debates over spending concerning a stadium move. It’s unclear if the team’s name factored in the provision’s omission from the spending bill.

Earlier this year, a report surfaced the Redskins asked Maryland congress for a gambling license for a new proposed dome stadium.