To the extent that the NFL has itself become a political football, its apparently in Democrats hands.
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-football-troubles-take-a-weird-turn-as-he-eyes-new-name-for-the-nfl-stuff
Five years ago,
Politico highlighted the presidents decadeslong grudge against the NFL and the eagerness with which he has incorporated the league into his broader culture war strategy.
Five years later, hes still at it. NBC News reported:
If the NFL wants to improve its relationship with the current administration, theres a new way to do it.
Change the name of the sport.
President Trump, who got the royal treatment and them some from FIFA at Fridays World Cup draw, suggested that the world isnt big enough for two sports with the same name.
...
But when you look at what has happened to football in the United States, its again soccer in the United States, the Republican said.
We seem to never call it that because we have a little bit of a conflict with another thing thats called football. But when you think about it, shouldnt it really be called I mean, this is football, theres no question about it. We have to come up with another name for the NFL stuff. It really doesnt make sense when you think about it.
Trump: We have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that's called football. But when you think about it, shouldn't it really be calledâ I mean, this is football. There's no question. We have to come up with another name for that. It really doesn't make sense when you think about it.
— FactPost (@factpostnews.bsky.social) 2025-12-05T21:02:18.14384354Z
....Whats more, earlier this summer, Trump used his social media platform to argue that the Washington Commanders should return to their previous, offensive name, adding
, I may put a restriction on them that if they dont change the name back.
I wont make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington. (This is a stadium that the Republican wants to see named after himself.)
For her part, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also recently said, in reference to league officials,
They suck and well win and God will bless us.
To the extent that the NFL has become a political football, its apparently in Democrats hands.