WASHINGTON D.C.: NFL franchise the Washington Redskins announced Monday that the American football team will be retiring its name and logo, long criticised as racist.
Monday’s news of the name and logo change came after a letter signed by 87 investors and shareholders with a total worth of $620 billion was sent to sponsors Nike, Pepsi and FedEx. The letter requested the three companies stop doing business with the team unless its name was changed.
Majority owner Dan Snyder and coach Rivera “are working closely 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 100 years”, the franchise stated in an official release.
The National Congress of the American Indian, the largest and oldest Native American rights organisation hailed the decision to retire the “racist mascot”, stating: “Today (Monday) is a day for all Native people to celebrate. We thank the generations of tribal nations, leaders, and activists who worked for decades to make this day possible.
“We commend the Washington NFL team for eliminating a brand that disrespected, demeaned, and stereotyped all Native people, and we call on all other sports teams and corporate brands to retire all caricatures of Native Americans that they use as their mascots.”
Snyder had been a boyhood fan of the 87-year-old team – which was named the Redskins in 1933 when it was still based in Boston – and had vowed to never change its moniker, BBC reports.
Some names that have been suggested as replacements include the Washington Senators, the Washington Warriors and the Washington Red Tails.
The NFL team is not the first Washington DC sports franchise to change it name amid shifting cultural attitudes.
In 1995, the NBA’s Washington Bullets were renamed the Wizards after the team owner said he had become uncomfortable with the name’s violent overtones.
The Redskins moved to Washington DC in 1937 and was founded by businessman George Preston Marshall, who believed in racial segregation.
The Washington DC-based team has faced years of pressure over a name seen as offensive to Native Americans.
Activists say the Washington team name has long been the most offensive, amid other names that also invoke Native American stereotypes. The Atlanta Braves, Chicago Blackhawks and Kansas City Chiefs are also team names that some activists hope will change as the US undertakes a racial reckoning after the death of George Floyd in police custody, BBC further reported.
The Cleveland Indians announced a review of their team name only hours after the Redskins did so earlier this month.
