NEW YORK - CBS is mulling over whether or not its NFL announcers will say “Washington Redskins” on-air when the team returns to the football field this fall.
In June the U.S. Patent Office canceled six trademarks belonging to the Washington Redskins football team, saying they are offensive to Native Americans.
Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports, said in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter they will not tell announcers whether or not to say the name, but will leave it up to them and the production team.
McManus said between now and the start of football season, the network will decide what the right course to take is, in this situation.
"Last year, it was simmering; now it's reaching a hotter level. But we probably will not end up dictating to our announcers whether they say Redskins or don't say Redskins," he said. "There are times when something becomes important enough that we talk to them, and between now and the start of football season we'll decide what is the right thing to do."
While there has been pressure on Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to change the team's nickname, three Virginia lawmakers formed the “Redskins Pride Caucus” in an effort to help Washington Redskins keep the nickname some people deem offensive.
One of the caucus’ stated goals is to prevent the U.S. Congress from forcing change upon the NFL team.
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