The Redskins "averaged 6,222 fans per day" during their training camp in Richmond, which is "down from the 11,183 fans the team averaged last year, and the 10,348 fans per day" during their first year there, according to Michael Phillips of the RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH. Total attendance for this year "was 80,888, which is about half of what the team received in Year 1 and Year 2." But there were also "fewer practice days this year -- 13 were open to the public, instead of the 15 open dates last year" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 8/18). Redskins President Bruce Allen said that he "suspected the decline was related to two factors: The team’s 4-12 record last season and the possibility that the novelty and 'thrill' of the location have waned." But he added that he "believed the Redskins rank among the top five NFL teams in attendance for camp, a claim that’s difficult to substantiate because policies about inviting fans to camp vary throughout the league." In DC, Liz Clarke notes even though admission is free, the "matter of attendance is significant to Richmond residents because city officials signed an eight-year contract that guarantees the Redskins $500,000 in exchange for holding their summer workouts in the city, convinced it would represent a boon for the restaurant and tourist industry." But the financial windfall "has yet to materialize." Nonetheless, Allen insisted that training camp "continues to be a success for the city and the team" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/18).
TESTING THE MARKET: Allen yesterday touched on the team's efforts toward a new stadium, saying, "We’ve had great conversations with all the areas and the design is something that we’ve started on, but really, it is preliminary right now. There’s not going to be anything to announce." In DC, Zac Boyer notes the Redskins' lease at FedExField expires in '26. An "unspectacular facility, the Redskins have reduced the capacity of the stadium by more than 10,000 seats in recent years, and ownership has made slight improvements to the experience, installing new video boards" in '10 and installing Wi-Fi access for fans in '13 (WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/18).
THE NAME GAME: Allen said that the team "will not reconsider changing its name -- even if it's a political barrier to a potential new stadium." ESPN.com's John Keim noted the Redskins have "started the process of finding a new home, exploring potential sites" in Maryland, where they now play; DC, where they used to play; and Virginia, where they train. But Allen "supplied a short answer when asked about changing the name stance to build a new home." He said, "No" (ESPN.com, 8/17). SNY's Marc Malusis said Allen and Redskins Owner Daniel Snyder are "lost” when it comes to the team's nickname and said, "They will face political barriers for a new stadium if they do not change their nickname." Malusis: "The name is offensive no matter what they do, that will never change” (“Loud Mouths,” SNY, 8/17).
