Robert Willis

Host

The End Of The Redskins?

Jun 19, 2014·13 visitors

Pat Fairweather

Cohost

Stage· 63 messages

Jun 19, 2014

A ruling handed down by the national patent office strips the copyright protection of the name for the Washington Redskins? What does this mean for the team, for the NFL and for the future of this name? Join Robert and Pat as they answer these and so many other questions.

Robert Willis · 7:00 PM

Hello and welcome. I'm Bob Willis here with Pat Fairweather to talk about what's going on with the Washington Redskins.

Pat Fairweather · 7:01 PM

Hello Bob!!

Pat Fairweather · 7:02 PM

I'm curious to know more about this issue...

Robert Willis · 7:02 PM

Yesterday, in a 99 page decision, the U.S. Patent and Trademark office cancelled the trademark registration, calling it "disparaging." What do you think of that?

Pat Fairweather · 7:02 PM

I'm a little put off by the fact that a trademark can be taken away after all of the investigation they do prior to issuing a trademark...

Pat Fairweather · 7:03 PM

I mean , Bob, how many years has the NFL team the Washington Redskins been around? 40? 50 years?

Pat Fairweather · 7:04 PM

Where will it end? If someone gets upset about the name of a car, can they get that taken away?

Robert Willis · 7:04 PM

The Boston Braves came into existence in 1932, and a year later changed their name to Redskins. You know why?

Pat Fairweather · 7:04 PM

why

Robert Willis · 7:04 PM

To honor their head coach, and American Indian. Puts a new spin on the "racial" issue of the name.

Pat Fairweather · 7:05 PM

That certainly does change the perspective.

Robert Willis · 7:05 PM

It is certainly a time of differing sensibilities. I liken it to books being banned because a vocal minority doesn't like them.

Pat Fairweather · 7:05 PM

I feel like because "redskin" is considered derogatory the native american population takes offense..right?

Pat Fairweather · 7:06 PM

What about the Cleveland Indians? Kansas city Chiefs and so many more...

Pat Fairweather · 7:06 PM

Atlanta Braves

Robert Willis · 7:06 PM

Most of them do. Daniel Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins, has found a few Native Americans that have said they are ok. with it.

Robert Willis · 7:07 PM

Most experts are saying that since those names are more generic, and not as offensive, people aren't put off by them as much.

Robert Willis · 7:07 PM

It's a stretch of a comparison, but those names-Braves, Indians, Cheifs-are akin to teams being called the Pirates, Raiders and Buccaneers.

Pat Fairweather · 7:08 PM

Did they not determine that the sales of merchendise baring the symbol of the Washington Redskins is prohibited?

Robert Willis · 7:08 PM

Not yet. The ruling is being appealed and until that is done the sales can continue.

Pat Fairweather · 7:08 PM

Didn't the whole issue get over turned just a couple of years ago?

Pat Fairweather · 7:09 PM

Simple fix...keep the logo, trademark and everything but change to the Washington Warriors...

Robert Willis · 7:09 PM

2009. A similar ruling by the Trademark Commission was overturned.

Pat Fairweather · 7:10 PM

I mean, really...it's not like they are called teh Washington Savages!!!

Robert Willis · 7:10 PM

That makes sense. After all it's the same city that changed the basketball team from the Bullets to the Wizards.

Robert Willis · 7:10 PM

Yeah, Savages might be a bit much.

Robert Willis · 7:10 PM

Another situation that people involved in this fight bring up is the Florida State Seminoles.

Pat Fairweather · 7:11 PM

Exactly...that's what I'm saying...the redskin name could be far more offensive!! It's been fine for all these years but PC is getting in the way

Pat Fairweather · 7:11 PM

That's a specific tribe...what's offensive about that?

Pat Fairweather · 7:11 PM

The next thing you know Pawnee Kansas will have to change the name of the town...

Pat Fairweather · 7:11 PM

and Hiawatha Blvd will have to change...

Robert Willis · 7:11 PM

Exactly!! To the tribe, absolutely nothing is offensive. To the PC crowd who have to stick their nose in everything, they are offended.

Pat Fairweather · 7:12 PM

I fully respect our Native Americans, but I think that this is beyond rediculous

Robert Willis · 7:12 PM

If I remember right, several towns and smaller colleges through the Midwest several years ago were forced to remove the word "Squaw" from their street names and mascots.

Pat Fairweather · 7:13 PM

So now, being a female indian is offensive??

Pat Fairweather · 7:13 PM

It's out of control Bob..

Robert Willis · 7:13 PM

Apparently to some people it is. It's like you said, where does it stop?

Pat Fairweather · 7:14 PM

The NFL should have some say so in the descision

Robert Willis · 7:14 PM

They might, from a financial standpoint and not a race one.

Pat Fairweather · 7:14 PM

Yea, step away from race and exactly who benefits from a name change?

Pat Fairweather · 7:14 PM

EVERYONE!!!

Pat Fairweather · 7:15 PM

Marketing, sales....promotions like crazy...a renewed team that has struggled for several seasons!!

Robert Willis · 7:15 PM

All 32 teams share in merchandising revenue. If this ruling is held up on appeal, that means everyone could sell Washington Redskins merchandise and not give the money to the NFL.

Pat Fairweather · 7:15 PM

More reason to change the logo and name...

Robert Willis · 7:16 PM

Other teams would lose out. Last year the Redskins ranked #10 in merchandise sales, and all 32 teams combined for (.7 billion dollars.

Robert Willis · 7:16 PM

9.7 billion. Nobody's going to want to lose that.

Pat Fairweather · 7:16 PM

Make the old offensive stuff into collectibles for those PC peeps that are raising the stink to start with

Robert Willis · 7:16 PM

Oh the NFL knows marketing. Why do you think they keep coming out with those hideous throwback uniforms every year?

Pat Fairweather · 7:16 PM

You just summed it up Bob...it's money

Robert Willis · 7:17 PM

Why sell two uniforms to a fan when you can sell three, four or five?

Pat Fairweather · 7:17 PM

I wonder in addition to the "legal" merchendise how much money is already lost to the black market....

Robert Willis · 7:18 PM

My guess would be an easy 20%.

Pat Fairweather · 7:18 PM

Right on....all the Redskin fans are sure to update their wardrobe!!

Robert Willis · 7:18 PM

I think of concerts that I go to and guys walk through the parking lot selling shirts for $15-20, less than half of what they are inside.

Pat Fairweather · 7:18 PM

change the look, logo and name...everyone has to buy a new jersey

Pat Fairweather · 7:19 PM

Financial bonanza..

Robert Willis · 7:19 PM

If Roger Goddell and the NFL were smart, they'd announce the name change to take place in 90 days. That way everyone, not just Redskin fans, would go out and buy up all of the old stuff (at jacked up prices) before turning around and buying the new s

Robert Willis · 7:20 PM

stuff before the start of the season.

Pat Fairweather · 7:20 PM

Exactly...that was my point a moment ago...collectibles!!

Pat Fairweather · 7:20 PM

Final thoughts, Bob?

Robert Willis · 7:20 PM

Yeah: none of this matters probably because A) it'll get overturned and B) Daniel Snyder's already dug in his heels, and he doesn't let anyone tell him he's wrong.

Pat Fairweather · 7:21 PM

The battle will continue then...let's hear it for America and free enterprise!! Have a great day, Bob!! Tawk to you later

Robert Willis · 7:21 PM

A pleasure as always Pat! Tawk to you soon!