The Washington Redskins are among the most storied franchises in the National Football League. They also are the third most valuable, according to a 2013 Forbes article, only behind the Dallas Cowboys and perennial championship contending New England Patriots. However, the Redskins are a lighting rod for criticism because of their team name and, to a lesser extent, mascot.

Some Native and non-Native groups alike consider the name highly offensive and comparable to what the N-word is to African-Americans. Yet, team owner Dan Snyder refuses to give in to these groups' demands and change the name. In fact, Snyder is going on the offensive and is actually starting a foundation that assists underserved Native Americans across the USA. It's called the Original Americans Foundation (OAF).

To get a feel for what OAF is trying to accomplish, check out part of Snyder's mass email to Redskins fans below:

"The mission of the Original Americans Foundation is to provide meaningful and measurable resources that provide genuine opportunities for Tribal communities," Snyder wrote in an email to Redskins fans. "With open arms and determined minds, we will work as partners to begin to tackle the troubling realities facing so many tribes across our country. Our efforts will address the urgent challenges plaguing Indian country based on what Tribal leaders tell us they need most. We may have created this new organization, but the direction of the Foundation is truly theirs."

One of the most vocal Native American groups calling for a name change is the Oneida Indian Nation. They responded to Dan Snyder's email and in it they say that they still hope the team changes its name.

"We're glad that after a decade of owning the Washington team, Mr. Snyder is finally interested in Native American heritage, and we are hopeful that when his team finally stands on the right side of history and changes its name, he will honor the commitments to Native Americans that he is making," said spokesman Ray Halbritter, an outspoken critic of the team name. "We are also hopeful that in his new initiative to honor Native Americans' struggle, Mr. Snyder makes sure people do not forget that he and his predecessor George Preston Marshall, a famous segregationist, have made our people's lives so much more difficult by using a racial slur as the Washington team's name."

Could this be a brilliant marketing ploy or heartfelt gesture to a long maligned people? Perhaps it's both. Either way the Redskins controversy isn't going to go away anytime soon, even with OAF.

Do you agree or disagree with the growing movement to get the Washington Redskins name changed? Also, do you think the term Redskins is a slur? Let us know what you think by commenting below.