The Supreme Court struck down part of a law that bans offensive trademarks in a ruling that is expected to help Washington in their legal fight over the team name.

The justices ruled that the 71-year-old trademark law barring disparaging terms infringes on free speech rights.

The ruling is a victory for an Asian-American rock band with a controversial name, but the case was closely watched for the impact it would have on a separate dispute involving the football team.

Dan Snyder said he was "thrilled" with the Supreme Court's ruling, and team attorney Lisa Blatt said the court's decision effectively resolves the team's longstanding dispute with the government.

"The Supreme Court vindicated the Team's position that the First Amendment blocks the government from denying or cancelling a trademark registration based on the government's opinion," Blatt said in a statement.

DeAngelo Hall, coming off a torn ACL and still learning a new position, accepted a pay cut to remain with the Washington Redskins.

Hall said he recently accepted a reduced salary, cutting his base number almost in half. He had been scheduled to make $4.25 million this season but will now make $2.3 million, according to a source.

He spent his first 12 seasons at corner before moving to safety midway through the 2015 season.

"There will come a point where I'm not able to play and I'm just too old or too slow or too banged up," Hall said. "While I can still play, I want to go out and play.

"I don't know where I fit in yet, and I don't know if they know where I fit in yet. But I know when I'm healthy, I can help us win."

Washington has named Doug Williams their senior vice president of player personnel.

Bruce Allen said the organization interviewed "a dozen" candidates for the role.

Williams quarterbacked Washington from 1986 to 1989.

The positive tone of contract talks between Kirk Cousins and Washington are related to the involvement of Dan Snyder.

Robert Griffin III was very tight with Snyder when he was the starting quarterback of Washington.

Cousins recently said Snyder "has done a great job this offseason communicating with me."

Snyder has told Cousins he wants to sign him long-term and there's confidence internally that a deal will ultimately be reached.

Negotiations between Kirk Cousins and Washington on a long-term deal are heating up a bit, according to a report.

There is a July 15 deadline for a deal.

Washington owner Daniel Snyder has gotten involved in talks, making it known how much the team wants to re-sign the quarterback.