Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has stated that it is time for the NFL to follow the NBA and "rid themselves of bigotry and racism" within the sport.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver sent shockwaves through the sporting world this week, banning Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and fining him $2.5m (£1.5m) for making alleged racist comments.

Now Reid has called for football commissioner Roger Goodell to follow suit, with reference in particular to changing the nickname of the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins' name has come under increased scrutiny over the past year after members of the Native American community argued that it was an offensive and disparaging racial slur.

"Commissioner Silver and the NBA leadership have set the standard for how professional sports organization should act in the face of racism," Reid told ABC News.

"How long will the NFL continue to do nothing, zero, as one of its teams bears the name that inflicts so much pain for Native Americans?

"The NFL should follow the NBA's example and remove this hateful term from its league's vocabulary."

The Redskins' name is an ongoing issue for the league, with lawmakers wading into the row back in February.