The Cleveland Indians lead the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 in the ALCS as it moves to Toronto for Game 3. While Jose Bautista may be wondering if the ALCS is rigged, there are some wondering if the playing of the ALCS will be considered illegal in Ontario.
A judge in Ontario is overseeing a legal challenge by indigenous activist Douglas Cardinal. Cardinal is attempting to ban the Indians’ logo and team name from being used during any ALCS game being played in Toronto, arguing the use of the logo is a violation of an Ontario human rights code. Cardinal wants to prevent Cleveland from having their logo and team name broadcast on Canadian TV by Rogers Communications.
[Update: The judge has dismissed Cardinal’s attempt to ban the Indians’ logo and name.]
“We would welcome a thoughtful and inclusive dialogue to address these concerns outside the context of litigation,” Major League Baseball said in a statement. “Given the demands for completing the League Championship Series in a timely manner, MLB will defend Cleveland’s right to use their name that has been in existence for more than 100 years.”
The Indians are not commenting on the legal squabble. The judge overseeing the case asked the plaintiff’s lawyer how the ALCS would be played if the name and logo didn’t appear.
This, of course, is pretty silly because there are obviously ways to still play a baseball game without the Indians’ logo and team name. It’s not exactly rocket science. But it’s also not likely to happen.
It is interesting this pops up now, with the Blue Jays down 2-0. Was this ever an issue when the Indians play in Toronto during the regular season? Or is this simply gaining more steam now because of the notoriety of the ALCS compared to a regular season baseball game?
