Report: Redskins merchandise sales cool as controversy heats up

As the Washington Redskins continue to ardently defend their team name against a rising tide of critics, fewer fans are buying shirts, hats and other team merchandise.

As CNN reports, sales of Redskins gear have plunged about 35 percent in the most recent quarter, a period when NFL merchandise overall rose about 3 percent, according to SportsSourceOne, which tracks sales of licensed merchandise. 

"People are having a second thoughts about wearing a T-shirt with the logo or name that it has now been called racist," Matt Powell, senior analyst for SportsSourceOne, told CNN.

While a Washington team spokesman claims the drop in merchandise had more to do with the team's 3-13 record last season, other teams with lackluster records haven't experienced such a sales slump. 

The plunge in merchandise sales is the latest news sure to rile team owner Dan Snyder, who has been a vocal defender of the Redskins name. 

In June, a federal trademark board ruled the nickname was "disparaging of Native Americans" and that the team's trademark protections should be cancelled, a decision that applied new financial and political pressure on the team to change its name. The Redskins have appealed the decision, so for now, the trademark stands. 

Last month, news broke that ex-NFL referee Mike Caray asked not to work Redskins games because he found the name to be offensive. 

And on Wednesday, a group campaigning for the Redskins to change their name asked broadcasters to stop saying "Redskins" during games. The letter sent to networks was signed by more than 100 Native Americans.