Washington Post Editorial Board Urges Redskins to Change Name

Over the past several months, several print and online publications have elected to stop using "Redskins" in their writing.

Peter King's MMQB (affiliated with Sports Illustrated), USA Today's Christine Brennan, Grantland (affiliated with ESPN) and Slate Magazine (owned by The Washington Post Company) have all decided to drop the racial slur as a show of respect to those who find it offensive.

Now, the most revered publication in town is suggesting that it does the same.

From The Washington Post's editorial board Thursday:

We understand that changing the name is not a trifling matter. There is a cost (estimated by some to be as high as $20 million), but surely the owner of the NFL’s third-most valuable franchise can afford it. There is a recognition of the importance of tradition to many fans who mean absolutely no offense.
Perhaps there is even a fear that fans will desert or turn against the team if it changes its name. We think that underestimates Washington fans and their deep feelings for this team. We urge Mr. Snyder to have more faith than that in his fan base and to listen more carefully to those who love the team and hate the ethnic slur.

Team owner Dan Snyder has adamantly stated that as long as he is in charge, "Redskins" will remain, but could losing the support of The Washington Post land a convincing blow?