Mayor Bowser Shows Courage While MD & VA Governors Grovel

The Washington Post reports today an unusual courageous stance by a public official (http://wapo.st/1IUP7Em). The lease on Fed Ex stadium does not expire for 12 years but the governors of Maryland and Virginia are already in a race to lure Dan Snyder and the team to their jurisdications. Both governors have stated that the offensive name is acceptable. In contrast, the District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Boswer is sticking by her previous position when she was a member of the City Council. The District of Columbia Council had passed a resolution urging Mr. Snyder to change the name of the team. When asked if the name of the team needs to be changed for her to consider a new stadium for the team in the District, Mayor Bowser said, "I've called on them - just like a lot of people around the city to change the name." We applaud Mayor Bowser's leadership and urge the Maryland and Virginia governors to take a similar stance. While jurisidictions often think they are the servants to owners of professional teams, they are actually their masters. Mr. Snyder would not have access to the lucrative DC market if the jurisdictions do not play ball and allow him to use a stadium on their turf. By saying "no ballgame" unless he does right by Native Americans, the jurisdictions would be setting an important example that human dignity and respect is more important than first downs and touchdowns. It would continue a proud tradition in the DC area and follow the example of the Kennedy administration that threatened to ban George Preston Marshall, former owner of the team, from using Griffifth stadium until he integrated the team.