Redskins Expected to Get Legal Boost After Supreme Court Ruling on Trademarks

A Supreme Court ruling Monday that said it was unconstitutional for trademarks to be denied because they contained potentially offensive language could wind up bolstering Washington's desire to keep its Redskins team name.

According to an Associated Press report (via ESPN.com), the Redskins trademark was canceled on grounds it offends Native Americans in 2014. Monday's ruling, which pertained to an Asian-American band named the Slants, would make that cancellation unconstitutional.

Washington retained its patent while the Supreme Court case played itself out.  

“The team is thrilled with today’s unanimous decision as it resolves the Redskins’ long-standing dispute with the government,” team attorney Lisa Blatt said in a statement, per Robert Barnes of the Washington Post. “The Supreme Court vindicated the team’s position that the First Amendment blocks the government from denying or cancelling a trademark registration based on the government’s opinion.”

Owner Dan Snyder said he was "thrilled" with the announcement. 

The Washington football franchise's team name has been the source of growing controversy in recent years. Multiple groups representing Native Americans have called on Snyder and the NFL to change the name, which they believe has racist undertones.

Snyder has long said the name was put in place to honor those of Native descent, though the actual history behind the name proves that to be untrue. The NFL has long maintained team names are at the discretion of their individual ownership groups, and commissioner Roger Goodell has said he would not force Snyder to change the name.