Fansided

FCC considers banning Washington Redskins’ name

By Andrew Melnick

Aug 29, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins helmet during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Washington Redskins defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-12. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins helmet during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Washington Redskins defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-12. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The controversy surrounding the Washington Redskins and their name continues to heat up.

More from NFL

George Washington University law professor John Banzhaf filed a petition that claims the name Redskins is a “racist, racially derogatory word.” Banzhaf is best known for helping push tobacco advertising off of television and radio. You can read the petition here.

According to Brendan Sasso of The National Journal, the FCC is considering banning the Redskins’ name.

"At a press conference Tuesday, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said he is reviewing the filing.“We will be dealing with that issue on the merits, and we will be responding accordingly,” Wheeler said.The FCC chief said he personally finds the term offensive and urged the team to change the name. But he didn’t say whether he thinks it is illegal.“There are a lot of names and descriptions that were used for a time that are inappropriate today,” he said. “I think the name that is attributed to the Washington football club is one of those.”"

If the word is banned, it could still be used on cable, just not on national television. Of course, outside of Monday Night Football, which airs on ESPN and Thursday Night Football, which airs on both The NFL Network and CBS, the NFL’s games are on broadcast television, meaning the NFL would almost certainly change the name.

Stay tuned to FanSided as we keep you up to date with the latest news in the world of football, both college and the NFL, throughout the season. Need more NFL news? Be sure to bookmark FanSided’s NFL News & Rumors page to stay up to date on the latest action from the world of football.

More on FanSided.com

Mark Davis: Oakland Raiders job is ‘enticing’
NFL Power Rankings entering Week 5
NFL Winners and Losers: Week 4
NFL Week 4 overreactions
San Francisco 49ers GM refutes rift

Home/NFL