The owner of the Washington Commanders is reportedly anxious about the potential return to the Redskins name, particularly with the looming influence of President Trump regarding a new stadium deal.
This concern stems from sources close to private equity moguls Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who own the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils as part of their Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment group.
The billionaire duo is under pressure to reconsider the Redskins name and its iconic feather logo, especially after the backlash against the current “Commanders” branding.
“There may be limitations on how they can address the controversial name ‘Washington Commanders’ without reverting back to ‘Washington Redskins’,” a source noted.
Since taking ownership, Harris and Blitzer have been cautioned that the White House could impact their plans for a $3.7 billion stadium, according to insiders.
“They’re really worried about how this might affect their dealings with Trump and the stadium negotiations,” one insider explained.
Officially, Harris and Blitzer maintain that the Commanders will continue under that name. Much of the stadium deal hinges on working with the Democratic-led DC government, particularly Mayor Muriel Bowser. Notably, federal funds aren’t part of the arrangement, though DC is accountable for around $1 billion in costs.
In private discussions, they appear to be weighing every possible way Trump could complicate their plans. The stadium site is on federal land leased to the DC government for almost a century.
This situation necessitates various approvals from federal institutions like the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Art Committee, both of which are filled with Trump appointees. They’ll also need support from the Trump administration’s environmental team.
The concern is that Trump could leverage his influence in ways reminiscent of how he has affected other entities in the past, according to sources close to Harris and Blitzer.
Will Trump use his grievances against certain entities to meddle in private transactions? It’s a fair question. His combative stance resonates with his supporters and, honestly, many Americans.
It’s worth noting that Trump is a skilled provocateur. He has the ability to generate unwanted media attention and could target Harris and Blitzer. Given the political climate, local sentiment might shift, potentially impacting attendance at games if the situation drags on.
Remember that former owner Dan Snyder changed the team’s name during the height of the social justice movements in 2020, asserting that it was a necessary response to concerns over Native American representation in sports.
Snyder has faced challenges with this name change for years, believing that “Redskins” held pride for Native American culture rather than being merely offensive.
A lot has unfolded since Harris and Blitzer bought the team for $6.05 billion, particularly in light of significant public backlash against “woke” initiatives, akin to Bud Light’s struggles after collaborating with a trans activist for a commercial.
A sports executive who preferred anonymity — someone familiar with Trump — suggested that the pair should handle Trump as other large corporations do when confronting him.
“He might not ultimately derail the stadium deal if they don’t change the name, but Harris and Blitzer will likely have to make concessions before Trump softens his stance,” the executive remarked.
A spokesperson for Harris and Blitzer did not respond to requests for comment.
