Fansided

Obama Administration against D.C. bringing Redskins back

By Matt Verderame

Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the Washington Redskins logo on a helmet during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the Washington Redskins logo on a helmet during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Redskins would like to move back inside the Washington D.C. limits. In 1997, the team moved from the district to its current location of Landover, Md., at FedEx Field. However, president Barack Obama and his administration are against a move to the capital until the franchise changes its name, according to Jonathan O’Connell of the Washington Post.

The Redskins have been the source of controversy for years, with many Native American groups and others calling for the name to be changed out for something that isn’t offensive. However, team owner Dan Snyder absolutely refuses, saying that the name will remain the same for as long as he is owner.

Washington is looking to move back to the same plot of land where RFK Stadium currently sits, and houses D.C. United of Major League Soccer. Presumably, the new stadium would be home to both D.C. United and the Redskins, but it appears Snyder and his people have hit a massive roadblock. While the final decision on the stadium would not be up to Obama or his administration, it goes without saying that the President of the United States has plenty of pull in his town.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell spoke to D.C. mayor Muriel E. Bowser and communicated that the National Park Service would not be helpful in building a new stadium until the franchise changes its name, per O’Connell.

"“Personally, I think we would never consider naming a team the ‘Blackskins’ or the ‘Brownskins’ or the ‘Whiteskins.’ So, personally, I find it surprising that in this day and age, the name is not different,” Jewell told ABC News."

If the Redskins do not move, they will remain in Maryland for the foreseeable future. Washington has no issues with attendance, despite being located outside of D.C. and being one of the worst teams in the league every year. Still Snyder would likely enjoy the idea of getting into a stadium with more luxury boxes and suites.

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