Minnesota Vikings Executive Vice President Lester Bagley says the team is in a “difficult position”. There is pressure on the team and other NFL teams to not use the Washington Redskins name when promoting the game because the name is racist. Bagley says the Vikings are “obligated” to promote the Redskins, but is going to provide opportunities the week of the game for opponents of the name to be heard.
Senator Bobby Joe Champion raised the question Wednesday about using the Redskins name during a hearing about the Vikings stadium that is being partially funded with taxpayer money.
Transcript of Bagley’s remarks
Sen. Bobby Joe Champion – DFL Minneapolis:
I do have a question for you Mr. Bagley. Are you comfortable talking about the Washington Redskins. One of the things that have been in the media. I’ve gotten some emails from different members of this body. They wanted to know what the Viking’s position is on the Washington Redskins controversy and whether you all … well what you really think about it.
Lester Bagley, Executive VP – Public Affairs, Minnesota Vikings:
It is a significant issue. We are sensitive to it and we take it very seriously. We have a significant native american population in Minnesota as you all know. We have a significant fan base that roots for our team in the native american community and we have business partners that are in that community. So, we are in an ongoing dialog and continue to have conversations with the community at large as well as the native american community and those are ongoing. Working with the University of Minnesota leadership in addressing the matter
The difficult position that we’re in is that as business partner, we’re one of 32 NFL teams, and we are obligated to market our opposing team, this weekend it’s the New England Patriots, on November 2 it will be Washington. So, it will be, we’re obligated to market our opposing team and we also have asked the NFL to come to Minnesota and to have some dialog with our community on the matter so we’re trying to provide opportunities to make sure that those voices are heard the week leading up to the game as well as having some dialog with the NFL, the university and the Vikings on the matter.
Related stories:
- Rep. McCollum says Redskins name violates University of Minnesota policy, some students plan to protest campus game this fall (Tyler Gieseke, The Minnesota Daily, 2014)
- Protesters march to Metrodome, denounce Washington team nickname as racist (Ben Markhart, 2013)
- OPINION | Again we speak against injustice (Alfred Walking Bull, 2013)
- University of Minnesota panel refocuses Washington football mascot controversy on protecting youth (Ben Markhart, 2013)
- NEWS DAY | Protesting the R word (Mary Turck, 2013)
- Change the Name protest — Video report (Jamie Keith, 2013)
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