Indian rodeo in Las Vegas embraces the ‘Redskins’ name

The controversy over the name of the Washington Redskins football team will land in Las Vegas next week when the Indian National Finals Rodeo starts at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center.

That’s because a major sponsor of the all-Indian rodeo is the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation, created by the National Football League team this year to provide resources to tribal communities amid complaints that the Redskins name is a racial slur. Opponents include Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has called on the owners of the Washington team to change the name.

“I’m already taking heat for it and I’m just renting the space,” said Michael Gaughan, South Point owner.

Some Native American groups, including the National Congress of American Indians, oppose Indian sports mascots, arguing they are derogatory and harmful stereotypes. Bob Costas, a prominent NBC sports broadcaster, has described the Redskins name as an insult, and CBS’ Phil Simms and NBC’s Tony Dungy won’t use the team name.

The nine commissioners of the Indian National Finals Rodeo, which is set for Tuesday through Saturday and considered a high-profile Native American sports event, approved a “Mission Achievement Sponsor” deal with the foundation in early August, said Donna Hoyt, rodeo general manager.

Hoyt said the commissioners approved the sponsorship because the foundation’s goals align with the rodeo’s mission of bolstering Native American role models, educational opportunities, health awareness and cultural preservation.

Hoyt said she and the commissioners were aware of the Redskins name controversy and “it was definitely something we considered.”

She noted Native Americans have bigger problems, such as economic development and substance abuse issues, to deal with than whether the NFL Redskins name is considered racist.

Headquartered in Browning, Montana, the Indian National Finals Rodeo was founded in 1976 and sanctions 700 regional rodeos around the nation each year, awarding $1 million in prize money. The rodeo next week at South Point is expected to draw 350 contestants in eight events. The organization says 75 tribes are represented, and that most INFR members are also members of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

One of the nine rodeo commissioners, Bo Vocu, said the deal with the Redskins sponsorship was valued at more than six figures and will help finance the event. He noted the rodeo has about 20 to 25 sponsors, providing deals that are valued from $1,000-$50,000.

“It does help us make our budget. Financially, it helps us achieve our responsibilities to our members,” Vocu said Thursday.

Vocu said one tribe dropped its rodeo sponsorship because of the Redskins association.

“It blows me away that our native sponsors won’t be sponsors of the rodeo,” Vocu said.

Vocu said commissioners also have discussed the Redskins sponsorship with contestants.

The organization isn’t hiding the foundation’s involvement — its website prominently displays the NFL team’s name and logo.

Neither Gary Edwards, a Cherokee and Redskins Original Americans Foundation executive director, nor the Redskins organization could be reached for comment Thursday.

Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5273. Follow @BicycleManSnel on Twitter.