Congress could use Tax Exempt status to force Redskins name-change

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  • JeremyHight
    I wish I was Scrubs
    • Feb 2009
    • 4063

    Congress could use Tax Exempt status to force Redskins name-change



    Two members of Congress plan on pushing Roger Goodell to change the Redskins name by sending him a "strongly-worded letter" that could include a threat of trying to revoke the NFL's tax-exempt status.

    The Washington Post reports Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) are looking for ways to pressure the league in the face of the Redskins' continued usage of their name. Cantwell said she would "definitely" consider revoking the tax-exempt status.

    "You're getting a tax break for educational purposes, but you're still embracing a name that people see as a slur and encouraging it," Cantwell said.

    The Post obtained a copy of the letter Cantwell and Cole drafted to Goodell (with a Feb. 10 date on it), with them objecting Goodell's "pre-Super Bowl press conference" where he "defended the Washington team name as an 'honor' to Native Americans."

    "It is, in fact, an insult to Native Americans," the letter reads.

    Cantwell and Cole go on to cite the opinions of the National Congress of Native Americans and then to point out that the Patent and Trademark Office refused to grant the Washington football team's trademark because they "found the term disparaged Indian people."

    "The National Football League is on the wrong side of history," the letter reads. "It is not appropriate for this multibillion dollar 501(c)(6) tax-exempt organization to perpetuate and profit from the continued degradation of tribes and Indian people."

    It's a strong argument to take against the NFL. Losing tax-exempt status would be a big, big thing for the league.

    The Redskins responded (kind of -- it wasn't a direct response, but the timing indicates it was an answer of sorts) on Monday by announcing the "release of Community Voices," a project involving statements from people of Native American heritage who support the name.

    "Over the past few months, we have received hundreds of letters, calls and emails from self-identified Native Americans in support of the name 'Washington Redskins,'" the team said in a statement announcing the Community Voices project. "Their comments make clear why our team name means so much to them and to so many in the Native American community.

    "It is essential for Redskins Nation to know what the majority of Native Americans really think -- in their own words -- and why it is so important that we listen to their voices on this issue. We should not turn our back on these Native Americans. Their voices deserve to be heard. We want Redskins Nation and the sports world to know what many Native Americans really think and why our name is their source of pride."

    It's a decent argument to make and about as good a PR push as you can make in this instance. Sticking with the Redskins name in the face of all the outcry is a tough position.

    With two members of Congress apparently determined to get a change implemented, it's going to be an even tougher position for the league to take.
    This is the single way I thought the NFL would be forced to change the name. Citing the trademark refusal and the National Congress of Native American's opinion on the name, the representatives could easily revoke any tax exempt status of the league (they are technically a 501(c) for taxes). The NFL could fight this one, but if Congress passes a law saying leagues are no longer tax exempt if they profit off of an offensive term, the NFL could be out billions of dollars per year.

    This could also have big ramifications on things like that Cleveland Indians, too, although I think the Redskins are in the spotlight for now.
  • Matt
    No longer a noob
    • Jun 2012
    • 1565

    #2
    Hopefully.... I'm tired of hearing HAIL every sunday during football season. I don't care about how people think it's an insult. I blame the PC population on that. Just ending the name so I no longer have to deal with HAIL will give me an A-1 day.

    Comment

    • ram29jackson
      Noob
      • Nov 2008
      • 0

      #3
      boring ..I'm bored with this crap ...someone will grease someones palm and this will go away again

      Comment

      • spursup
        Noob
        • Dec 2013
        • 505

        #4
        Please someone just make the name change happen. Can't watch the Redskins anymore without someone in the room ranting about the name.

        Comment

        • JeremyHight
          I wish I was Scrubs
          • Feb 2009
          • 4063

          #5
          Honestly, I'd be more happy with the NFL losing it's tax exempt status than if they change the name. I don't see how the NFL can claim to be a "non-profit", seeing as the MLB has sworn off the tax-exempt status in recent years.

          Comment

          • JimLeavy59
            War Hero
            • May 2012
            • 7199

            #6
            Why don't these pricks actually ask the Natives if they find the name offensive?

            Comment

            • spursup
              Noob
              • Dec 2013
              • 505

              #7
              Originally posted by JeremyHight
              Honestly, I'd be more happy with the NFL losing it's tax exempt status than if they change the name. I don't see how the NFL can claim to be a "non-profit", seeing as the MLB has sworn off the tax-exempt status in recent years.
              Losing tax exempt status won't stop the complaining about how the Redskins name is offensive to Native Americans. Sure it would hurt the league but that isn't the overall goal of these Congressmen or the general public.

              Comment

              • ram29jackson
                Noob
                • Nov 2008
                • 0

                #8
                LOL at you wussies giving in to something so trivial. The Redskins and NFL will brush this one off as well

                Comment

                • ThomasTomasz
                  • Nov 2024

                  #9
                  Originally posted by baseballchampion
                  Losing tax exempt status won't stop the complaining about how the Redskins name is offensive to Native Americans. Sure it would hurt the league but that isn't the overall goal of these Congressmen or the general public.
                  If you think Snyder lets it go without dragging it through years of litigation, you are mistaken, as is everyone else. Snyder grew up a Redskins fan, and he didn't buy the team and give up his business just for any team. He will fight it to the point that everyone else will give up.

                  Comment

                  • dave
                    Go the fuck outside
                    • Oct 2008
                    • 15492

                    #10
                    Originally posted by JeremyHight
                    Honestly, I'd be more happy with the NFL losing it's tax exempt status than if they change the name. I don't see how the NFL can claim to be a "non-profit", seeing as the MLB has sworn off the tax-exempt status in recent years.
                    Agree completely. This league does not need tax exempt status.
                    My Twitch video link: http://www.twitch.tv/dave374000

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                    Comment

                    • Aso
                      The Serious House
                      • Nov 2008
                      • 11137

                      #11
                      Originally posted by baseballchampion
                      Losing tax exempt status won't stop the complaining about how the Redskins name is offensive to Native Americans. Sure it would hurt the league but that isn't the overall goal of these Congressmen or the general public.
                      I think the general public would prefer for the NFL to lose their tax exempt status because they clearly aren't a non-profit organization in the first place.

                      I'd also prefer them to keep their name because I'm sick of the PC police.

                      Comment

                      • Maynard
                        stupid ass titles
                        • Feb 2009
                        • 17876

                        #12
                        this is nothing more than members of congress using this to further their own needs. they dont give 2 shits about the indians or this being a racial issue. how come nobody is crying about all the other teams that have similar names.

                        Comment

                        • dave
                          Go the fuck outside
                          • Oct 2008
                          • 15492

                          #13
                          I know I am, way too often, politically correct, but the Redskins name really doesn't bother me. Frankly, I just think it's a bunch of over-zealous types just jumping on an opportunity. As a football fan, I never thought of the Redskins name is demeaning or racist.
                          I don't buy these politicians whatsoever. Both parties repped. They're clearly just grand-standers.

                          Just curious, what solution could be found to keep the Redskins name and appease opponents of it?
                          My Twitch video link: http://www.twitch.tv/dave374000

                          Twitch archived games link: http://www.twitch.tv/dave374000/profile/past_broadcasts

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                          • Hasselbeck
                            Jus' bout dat action boss
                            • Feb 2009
                            • 6175

                            #14
                            Good to see the U.S. Congress is focusing on the true problems with the country
                            Originally posted by ram29jackson
                            I already said months ago that Seattle wasn't winning any SB

                            Comment

                            • dave
                              Go the fuck outside
                              • Oct 2008
                              • 15492

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Hasselbeck
                              Good to see the U.S. Congress is focusing on the true problems with the country
                              Kinda how I feel. These two politicians are simply doing this to get bigger public profiles.
                              My Twitch video link: http://www.twitch.tv/dave374000

                              Twitch archived games link: http://www.twitch.tv/dave374000/profile/past_broadcasts

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