Supreme Court rejects 1 Redskins appeal; other case pending

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a long-shot appeal from the Washington Redskins challenging a law that bars offensive trademarks, although the justices could still resolve the same issue in another pending case.

The court turned away the team’s unusual request to have its case heard before a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, weighs in. The Redskins are appealing the government’s decision to cancel its trademarks over concerns the nickname disparages Native Americans.

Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie said the team would not comment.

In a separate case, the justices will decide whether the trademark law violates the First Amendment. That case involves The Slants, an Asian-American rock band that was denied a trademark on the ground that its name disparages Asians.

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