The city of Minneapolis lacks the legal standing to keep Washington's NFL team from using its nickname when it plays the host Vikings in November, the city's attorney said Wednesday.

City Council members had expressed interest in taking action against the team, which has been criticized by American Indian groups and other organizations for its Redskins nickname. The game will take place at the University of Minnesota, which has publicized its own objection to the word that many consider a slur.

City Attorney Susan Segal said that while she and some members of her office "would like nothing better" than to act to help force the team to shed its name, the city has limited options. She told a council committee that a ban on the name could be seen as a violation of the First Amendment and noted that the city's civil rights ordinance does not apply to the University of Minnesota.

Segal said it's possible someone could sue on the basis that use of the name violated rules about public accommodations, but that would have to be done by an individual who could claim its use created a hostile environment.

"Unfortunately," she said, "I think we've come to the conclusion that the city itself does not have a cause of action against the team that is likely to be successful. In some ways, we are about the worst plaintiff you can try to [use] for an expansion of law in this area."

Council Members Cam Gordon and Blong Yang said they agree with Segal's legal opinion but don't plan to drop the issue. The two put out a joint statement after the Public Safety Committee's meeting, saying they intend to continue to push the team to drop the name.

"Racial slurs are not welcome in Minneapolis, and do not meet community standards," they wrote. "The name should be changed."

Alan Yelsey, a member of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media who attended Wednesday's meeting, said he disagrees with the city's position. He said the city would not allow slurs against other groups to be displayed in a public location such as a sports arena or city hall — and that the Washington nickname should be no different.

"If you believe the word Redskin is discriminatory, we have the legal authority to be able to prohibit it," he said.

Segal said she believes the NFL will have to respond to growing pressure from advocacy and government groups, media organizations and public figures who have spoken against the word's use.

"Hopefully, we won't have to have this discussion a year from now, because the name will have been changed," she said.

Erin Golden • 612-673-4790