For many, it has been a day that has taken a long time to come, a move that Washington owner Dan Snyder was very reluctant of making. However, given recent events in the world when it comes to social injustice, and as the pressure mounted and major sponsors threatened pull their advertisements; including the stadium sponsor FedEx.
A couple of weeks ago, the Redskins decided that they would review the teams name and would consider changing it. After much discussions and partial owners threatening to part ways with Dan Snyder themselves by selling their portions of the team, the decision was officially made on Monday that Washington's team name and logo would be retired.
This move comes after decades or criticism of both the team name and logo, along with recent events and sponsorship's willing to pull their product from FedEx Field. Last week, Nike removed all Redskins memorabilia from their website amidst the recent outcry for the team change the name.
The Redskins released a statement today stating: "Dan Snyder and Ron Rivera are working closing to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next years."
According to the Washington Post; Washington is still planning on using the name Redskins along with the logo until a new name and design is chosen. There is also an option that the team could be referred to as "Washington Football Club" temporarily. That decision has to be made quickly as NFL Training Camps are expected to open up in two weeks.
Longtime critics call the name change "long overdue, but nonetheless welcoming". This includes Washington's Mayor Muriel E. Bowser and Eleanor Holmes Norton; the District's non-voting delegate to the House of Representatives. Both people are key for Snyder who wishes to move his team back into the Washington D.C. area to build a brand new stadium on the site of where of RFK Stadium used to be.
Mayor Bowser said in a news conferecne that: "Washington's football team should be playing Washington."
Of the four major sports based in our Nations Capital; the Redskins are the only team to not be based in the D.C. area. The Redskins currently play their home games in Landover, Maryland, where FedEx Field is located.
In an interview back on July 4th, Head Coach Ron Rivera said he hopes a new name would be in place by the start of the 2020 NFL Season. Others; close to the organization; have said that a new name could be chosen within two weeks.
On Sunday, it was reported that teams preferred name has been held up due to trademark issues, which is the reason that a new name wasn't announced on Monday. The new name and logo will not feature any Native American imagery.
Some possible names that have floated around are the Washington Redtails; the Washington Warriors; the Washington Monuments; the Washington Redhawks and Redwolves and the Washington Generals to name a few possible names.
The Redskins first became a franchise back in 1932; back when they were known as the Boston Braves. It was in 1933, they changed their name to the Boston Redskins. It was in 1937 that the team relocated to the Washington and have been known as the Redskins up until now.
It is unclear as to when the new name and log will be announced by team or if they will use the name Redskins for the duration of the 2020 season while a name is selected. One thing is clear, that very soon the Redskins will no longer exist and new beginning will be started for not only Washington's team, for the entire sports landscape as well.
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