The National Indian Gaming Association no longer will be affiliated with a golf tournament hosted by the Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation.
“It’s a blatant attempt (by Redskins owner Dan Snyder’s foundation) to try to buy out the issue,” NIGA chairman Ernest Stevens told USA Today. NIGA officials question whether Snyder is sincere about helping Native Americans.
The celebrity golf tournament was held Saturday in Arizona.
“It hurts my heart to have to say that word,” said Stevens, who did not reveal how much money was involved in sponsoring the event.
NIGA is a nonprofit organization that represents 184 Indian nations and finds the name of the Washington football team offensive.