Following significant pressure over the last few weeks (including from FedEx, who has the naming sponsor for the team’s stadium), the Washington NFL organization is finally getting rid of its racist team name.
Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal reports that Washington will retire the Redskins team name on Monday. Fischer adds that the new team name “will not be announced immediately because trademark issues are pending.”
The Redskins intend to announce on Monday that the team will retire its nickname, two sources said, 11 days after naming-rights sponsor FedEx’s public statement asking for a change to the controversial moniker. The new nickname will not be announced immediately because trademark issues are pending, the sources said, but insiders were told today that the “thorough review” announced July 3 has concluded.
So, for now, they’re just Washington. The Redtails, Redwolves, and Warriors are three names considered to be among the favorites for the next team name.
I like the redtails 🤔 https://t.co/DLSWsUcldp
— Dwayne Haskins, Jr (@dh_simba7) July 3, 2020
It’s cold out there 🐺#Redskins ➡️ #RedWolves#HTTR pic.twitter.com/YqrTAoG3M8
— DC Sports Experience (@DCsportsXP) July 9, 2020
No pending trademark applications for Washington Redwolves.
6 pending applications with the USPTO for Washington Warriors! pic.twitter.com/xpIrJsBDuZ
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) July 11, 2020
Washington owner Daniel Snyder has ignored criticism for the team name year after year, but the increasing pressure in recent weeks finally left him with no choice.
Update: The organization indeed made an announcement on Monday that they will change the team name.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 13, 2020
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.