The Washington Redskins are preparing to keep strong in withstanding the changing of their name, a staple of the NFL since 1932

As the controversy over the Washington Redskins name-change debate grows, the team is bringing in legislative reinforcements to help stand their ground.

According to lobbying disclosures filed recently, the Redskins hired firm McGuireWoods Consulting in late May, a week after 50 democratic senators penned a letter to the NFL requesting formal support in the changing of the team’s name.

The disclosure states McGuire-Woods will work on “discussions of team origins, history and traditions, Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and youth sports, and activities of Original Americans’ Foundation.”

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has taken a hard-line approach in opposition to the name change, stating to USA Today last year, “We’ll never change the name. It’s that simple. NEVER — you can use caps.”

With the NFL holding non-profit status, it can be used as a major play against the Redskins in the case of a name change, since many see the term “Redskins” as a racial slur against Native Americans.  Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, has threatened to re-examine the league’s continued tax status, to place pressure on the NFL to help change the Redskins name.

– Curt Cramer (@CurtisRemarc)