Topics: Donald Trump, NFL, Politics, US News, Washington, Football, Baseball, Sport
The president has threatened to stop a multi-billion dollar deal if an NFL team doesn't change its name.
US president Donald Trump has claimed he will put a stop to a brand new $3.7 billion 65,000-seater stadium in Washington due to his apparent personal grievance over the team's name it changed five years ago.
The new venue would replace the former RFK (Robert F. Kennedy) stadium, which was home to the team from 1961 to 1997, as per a deal that was reached in April.
The football team has resided in Landover, Maryland, since moving out of the iconic stadium almost three decades ago, but has long hoped to make a return to Washington, D.C., with high hopes of moving back into the new purpose-built arena in 2030.
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However, hopes for the Washington Commanders to return home could be in jeopardy now that the POTUS has weighed in on its 'controversial' name change.
The NFL team dropped the name Redskins in July 2020, following a review that it was considered racist and offensive to Native Americans.
Afterwards, the team were called the Washington Football Team before settling on the Commanders in 2022.
The District of Columbia Council was encouraged to speed up its approval of stadium plans by Republican politician, James Comer, just last week.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman wrote in a statement that the committee 'expects a prompt vote without unnecessary and politically motivated delays,' adding: "Further delays can threaten the largest private investment in D.C. history and be seen as clear disregard to congressional intent."
Yet Trump himself has threatened he will weigh in on matters, outlining his plan to pull the deal unless the team reverts to its original name while dubbing the moniker 'ridiculous.'
Writing on his platform Truth Social on Sunday (July 20), the POTUS said: "I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original Washington Redskins and get rid of the ridiculous moniker Washington Commanders I won't make a deal for them to build a stadium in Washington.
"The team would be much more valuable and the deal would be more exciting for everyone."
The threat comes as Trump has also urged baseball team Cleveland Guardians to revert to its original name, the Indians, in a separate post.
“The Washington 'Whatever’s' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team,” he added in his rant.
"There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past.
"Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen.
"Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago.
"We are a country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!”
However, managing partner Josh Harris ruled out any prospect of a name change, saying in February this year that Commanders is here to stay.
"Now, in this building, the name Commanders means something.
"It's about players who love football, are great at football, hit hard, mentally tough, great teammates. It's really meaningful that that name is growing in meaning."
Cleveland Guardians president of baseball operations, Chris Antonetti, addressed Trump's post directly yesterday, saying: "We understand there are different perspectives on the decision we made a few years ago, but obviously, it's a decision we made.
"We've got the opportunity to build a brand as the Guardians over the last four years and are excited about the future that's in front of us."
