Unprecedented pressure on the Washington NFL team to change its name reached a crescendo today when the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board canceled six federal trademark registrations owned by the team, ruling that the term “Redskins” was disparaging to “a substantial composite” of American Indians when the marks were granted between 1967 and 1990.
The 2-1 decision by the board does not mean the Washington team must stop using the name but gives opponents of the name another opening to hammer home their contention that the term is a despicable racial slur. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on the Senate floor that “the handwriting is on the wall” and the team’s name will change some day.
VOTE: Should Washington change team nickname?
Q&A: How ruling impacts Redskins
MORE: Read the decision by the trademark board
RELATED: Harry Reid says ‘writing on the wall’ for Redskins name
ON THE Q: It’s time for Goodell to force Washington’s hand
The team’s attorneys said the team will appeal. The team prevailed on appeal in an earlier iteration of the case.
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