Donald Trump is back in the news again today. This week he’s calling on the Washington Commanders to change back to their contentious old name. It was notable because the former president is a huge booster for the team’s new stadium. More importantly, he wants it named after him when it opens in 2030. Trump’s history with the NFL is complex, marked by attempts to influence the league’s direction and a series of public disagreements.
In recent statements, Trump criticized the NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny as the performer for the Super Bowl halftime show, suggesting that such choices do not align with the league’s traditional values. His recent comments reveal an almost primal jealousy towards the NFL. This competition started as a miniaturized version during his brief time as an owner of the United States Football League (USFL) back in 1983. All the while, at his behest, Trump was bulldozing an NFL merger of his own. This audacious move would eventually prove to be the death knell for that rival league.
Trump’s Influence on Team Identity
While the team’s last nickname, a slur against Indigenous people that almost everyone’s agreed for decades was racist, is no longer up for debate Trump has gone on record saying he wants to restore this name. He thinks that rebranding it would be something that would truly blow the minds of some fans. His remarks come on the heels of the teams’ efforts to build its own brand new — and publicly subsidized — stadium in just a few short years.
According to people familiar with the matter, Trump seems to have had enormous leverage around naming rights. Observers believe that his political power may become key in deciding what to call the new stadium, if and when built.
“It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.” – ESPN
This statement emphasizes how Trump’s desires may align with the team’s management as they navigate public sentiment and branding strategies.
A Long History of Clashes
In truth, Trump’s relationship with the NFL has long been rocky. During his first term, he famously referred to NFL players who protested against social injustice as “sons of bitches,” igniting further controversy and backlash. His comments revealed a substantial chasm between his political posturing and the new reality of sports’ changing cultural paradigm.
As recently as 2014, Trump tried to purchase the Buffalo Bills. More importantly, he viewed this move as an opportunity to cement his new authority and leadership within the NFL community. The failed pick-up became another page in his long and embarrassing battle to be accepted by the NFL’s good ole’ white boys network of owners and executives.
If past NFL stadium names are any indication, the league has the opportunity to lead on societal values or memorialize important figures. Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, honors the team’s founder Earl “Curly” Lambeau and was renamed soon after his death. In contrast, Chicago’s Soldier Field memorializes the soldiers from World War I. Exclusivity Collection Trump’s historic pursuit of naming rights raises deeper questions about his intended legacy. This is doubly tragic in a league that consistently has prided itself on its storied, rich history.
Future Prospects and Political Landscape
As talks increase over the Commanders’ new stadium, we need to watch the political climate closely. By 2030, when the stadium is slated to open, these dynamics will be very important. By that point in time, Trump will likely no longer be a leading political figure himself, which would lessen his impact on these issues.
Moreover, the exclusive naming rights themselves are often seen as an opening to branding and marketing opportunities that would go well beyond the normal pageantry and fanfare. Trump would love to have his name associated with the biggest venue in the NFL– the Superbowl. This ambition is both an expression of his business interests and his desire to cement his personal legacy.