Washington Redskins to Retire Controversial Name and Logo
Urged by its major sponsors.
Following news that the Cleveland Indians were looking into changing its name, the Washington Redskins have now announced the retirement of its controversial name and logo. Long viewed as offensive to Native Americans, the NFL team has been reviewing its image in light of recent events in the United States.
In a statement, the team noted it would “be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of a review” demanded by its sponsors. After Amazon, Walmart and Target, Nike and other retail stores pulled merchandise and ESPN stopped using its logo, major sponsors FedEx, Nike, Pepsi and Bank of America urged team owner Dan Snyder to consider making a change.
A boyhood fan of the 87-year-old team originally named the Redskins when it was still based in Boston in 1933, Snyder has vowed in the past to never change the name of the organization. It is interesting to note that the team was originally founded by businessman George Preston Marshall, who publicly expressed his belief in racial segregation.
The new name of the team has not been announced just yet, but reports are noting that the organization is going through a trademarking process to establish its new images before the start of the 2020 season in September. Potential replacements include the Washington Senators, the Washington Warriors, the Washington Red Tails and ideas that tie in the military. Reports are also noting the franchise will retain its burgundy and gold color scheme
Stay tuned for more details as the story develops.
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) July 13, 2020
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