Harry Reid Says Dan Snyder Attempted to Bribe Native American Tribal Leaders

In an interview with CNN's Manu Raju, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) continued his push to change the Washington Redskins' name, going so far as to assert that team owner Dan Snyder has attempted to sway Native American tribes with kickbacks.

"Here's a recommendation I'll give to CNN: Don't use the word Washington 'bleep,'" Reid told Raju, per Sporting News' Jordan Heck. "The name of the Washington football team is disparaging to a large number of my constituents, and he demeans them every day. Snyder's tried to bribe some of my folks, buy them little cars."

The Washington Post's Des Bieler connected the dots and believes Reid is essentially referring to the Original Americans Foundation, an organization spearheaded by Snyder. According to the OAF's website, its purpose is to use "the national platform of professional sports organizations and their partners to address the challenges in the daily lives of Native Americans based on what Tribal leaders tell us they need most."

Back in March, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah held an impeachment hearing for chairperson Gari Pikyavit Lafferty after the tribe alleged she received a bribe from the OAF in the form of a $1,500 trip to a Washington game on Sept. 25, 2014.

Last October, Ben Shelly, then-president of the Navajo Nation, was spotted sitting in Snyder's luxury box (via Redskins Facts):

The Navajo Nation Council voted 9-2 in April 2014 to oppose Washington's nickname.

"It feels like the Navajo people have been hoodwinked into supporting racism and have dragged other national American Indian organizations through the mud in the process," wrote Jacqueline Keeler in an editorial for Indian Country Today following Shelly's appearance with Snyder. "This fundraising to cover the use of a racist slur by a billionaire takes away from the fundraising efforts of legitimate American Indian foundations and takes needed money away from them. It is a travesty."

Reid's claim follows what was a rough week for Washington in terms of public relations.

The team's will-call policy, which charged $50 per envelope to non-season ticket holders to hold tickets, was brought to light. The wife of Scot McCloughan was also caught accusing an ESPN reporter on Twitter of exchanging sexual favors for access with the team.

Meanwhile, Reid's claim will only embolden those who have pushed, and continue to push, Washington to change its nickname.