(Note: this post was revised and updated on 5 November 2013)
Some (many?) people find the Washington “Redskins” team name and logo to be highly offensive. (What about the Chicago “Blackhawks” (see below) hockey team, by the way?) What, if anything, should be done about this state of affairs? Here are some possible approaches:
1. Impose a complete ban on the use of offensive team names or logos (or some other form of regulation and coercion)
2. Engage in voluntary bargaining, also known as “Coasian bargaining,” in which the NFL or some other group offers to “buy out” the rights to the Redskins trademark from Dan Snyder, the hapless owner of the Washington Redskins
3. Do nothing
Which approach do you prefer? Can you think of any other possible solutions?
prior probability 