Ship sailed: Washington Commanders owner moves on from Redskins.
The Washington Commanders Stand Firm on Name Change
The new owners of the Washington Commanders football team have made it clear that they will not be swayed by mounting pressure to change the team’s name back to its original title of the Redskins.
Despite an online petition garnering over 130,000 signatures, the team remains committed to its current name. The Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins, made the decision to rebrand in 2020 and officially adopted their new name in 2022.
“That ship has sailed,” said Mitchell Rales, the top partner in Josh Harris’s ownership group, on Wednesday. “We’re not going to re-litigate the past. We’re about the future. We’re about building the future and not having a divisive culture that we’re engaged in. We’re going to look at everything come the end of the year and think about a lot of different things and do a lot of testing and see what people think.”
The team’s decision to maintain their current name follows the recent acquisition of the Washington Commanders by Harris for over $6 billion. Earlier this year, co-owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson hinted at the possibility of another name change, potentially taking effect as soon as next year.
The Washington Commanders have faced threats of a boycott from the Native American Guardians Association, who are advocating for a return to the team’s original name. The association’s call for a boycott comes in the wake of Anheuser-Busch reporting a significant loss in the second quarter of this year.
In a letter addressed to the Washington Commanders, the Native American Guardians Association, led by founder and president Eunice Davidson, referenced a poll indicating that 90% of Native Americans do not find the Redskins name offensive. The association also highlighted how other sports teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Blackhawks, have maintained their Native American-inspired names while emphasizing the importance of honor and respect.
The petition initiated by the association has garnered 130,741 signatures since its launch on June 21. Once it reaches 150,000 signatures, it will become one of the most-signed petitions on Change.org.
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