It almost seemed like an honorable thing the Giants did last night, at least until they backtracked 20 minutes later.
And their response to one outlet underscores that while many people are uncomfortable with the nickname of the Washington franchise, the NFL is in the uncomfortable position of walking an ethical tightrope with their business partners perched on their shoulders.
As we noted last night, when the Giants revealed their schedule on Twitter, they used nicknames for each opponent other than Washington. It was quickly updated with another version, which included the name that many find offensive.
Pressed on the difference by Deadspin, Giants PR chief Pat Hanlon explained they have “different formats of schedule” and used the city and nickname interchangeably. When asked why they don’t do that for any other team, Hanlon replied: “We use both names for Washington.”
So rather than choosing a position, they take both, making it similar to the flip-flop the Eagles employed when alternating city for nickname on a release last season.
It’s likely as simple as the fact that some people just aren’t comfortable using the nickname, and choose not to. Perhaps one of those people works in the Giants social media department.
But those people all have bosses, and those bosses have to divide their profits with Washington owner Daniel Snyder, who has shown no signs of letting the issue go easily, or ever, or until he has a financial incentive to do so.