A grassroots nonprofit seeking to revert the Washington Commanders name back to the Redskins has sued the new owner along with a rival organization to the tune of $1.6 million.
The Native American Guardian Association filed its complaint September 25 in the U.S. District Court of North Dakota alleging defamation, civil conspiracy and conspiracy to violate civil rights.
“Commanders’ employee Matthew Laux told a concerned former luxury-box owner that NAGA was a ‘fake group,’” New York attorney Chad Laveglia wrote in the lawsuit. “Reading between the lines, Laux was attacking the very identity of NAGA’s members. He was calling them ‘fake’ Native Americans. He attacked their very souls. Laux took a page right from the Commanders playbook: selective racism.”
The complaint names Laux, the National Congress of American Indians and Josh Harris, who acquired the team in July for $6.05 billion, as defendants.
The Washington Redskins were rebranded as the Washington Commanders in 2022 under allegations that the Redskins name is reflective of systemic racism. The Redskins' logo, which was an image of an Indian chief Chief Two Guns White Calf, was gifted to the team by the Blackfeet tribe, according to media reports.
“NAGA is 'For the People,' and this is the 'line-in-the-sand' moment,” said Eunice Davidson, president of NAGA. “We are fighting against cancel culture for all Americans. America is simply not for sale to this epidemic of cancel culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”
The complaint alleges Laux stated as truth that Native Americans such as Davidson are not Native Americans at all and that it was NCAI that prompted the change to the team’s name.
“The Commanders’ leadership use a small group of politically connected, elite, Native Americans, to persuade the public that they represent all Native Americans,” the complaint states. “In turn, the public is more receptive to the Commanders team name. A more receptive public means more season ticket and box holders.”
The NCAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment however the Washington Commanders issued a statement.
“We believe the complaint is without merit, and we will address the matter in court,” a spokesperson said in an email.
As previously reported, a petition that advocates for restoring the name ‘Redskins’ to the NFL’s Washington team garnered 150,000 signatures last month.
"Laux attacked the very identity of some Native Americans, to pacify the alleged feelings of other Native Americans," the complaint further states. "Harris and the Commanders favored one group of Native Americans over another — EQUAL — group of Native Americans. This is selective racism. Favoring one group of powerful Native Americans while literally attacking the identity of another is selective racism in action."