The Washington Commanders have faced numerous challenges in recent years. After the Harris group grabbed its ownership from Dan Snyder in exchange for $6.05 billion, there has been a newly found hope about the future of the franchise.
However, the Washington-based franchise, led by Josh Harris along with 20 limited partners including the NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and billionaire Mitchell Rales, has once again faced significant setback. Its complex history, including the previous name Redskins, has reignited controversy, leading the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) to file a lawsuit against them.
NAGA sue Commanders over Redskins restoration
According to a report by NBC Montana, NAGA filed a defamation lawsuit against the Commanders in North Dakota federal court. They allege that the franchise has a “monopoly on the narrative” regarding Native American sentiment related to their 2020 name change, which ultimately resulted in the removal of the Redskins moniker.
The complaint includes individuals such as the franchise’s majority owner Josh Harris, sales representative Matthew Laux, as well as the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). The group is seeking $1.6 million in damages.
On August 7, 2023, NAGA sent a demand letter to the Commanders and initiated an online petition in an attempt to open a dialogue with the franchise. Despite gaining significant public attention through the petition, the NFL team did not respond to their request. Instead, they launched a defamation campaign against the group.
Chad LaVeglia, the representative of NAGA, stated that their decision to sue the Washington Commanders was driven by the franchise’s continued disregard for their efforts. However, a spokesperson of the Commanders said NAGA’s complaint is “without merit” and they would address the situation in court.
Briefing the complicated history of Redskins
George Preston Marshall purchased the Boston Braves football team in 1932 and later changed its name to the Washington Redskins when the franchise moved to Washington in 1937. Controversy and complexities emerged surrounding the Redskins name, with some Native American groups advocating for a name change while some local newspapers refused to use the team’s name. During Marshall’s ownership, the team won two NFL championships in 1937 and 1942.
Jack Kent Cooke acquired the franchise in 1974 and owned it until his passing in 1997. During his tenure, Washington won three Super Bowls in 1983, 1988, and 1992. After Jack’s passing, his sons held ownership for two years before selling the team to Dan Snyder in 1999. In 2020, the franchise temporarily adopted the name Washington Football Team due to pressures from other NFL teams and sponsors. It was subsequently rebranded as the Commanders in 2022.
What’s your take on the Commanders’ complicated history? Tell us in the comments.
