By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
As first reported Sunday night by Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer, the Washington NFL team will be retiring the ‘Redskins’ name and logo. The organization released a statement Monday morning with the official announcement.
The statement reads,
On July 3rd, we announced the commencement of a thorough review of the team’s name. That review has begun in earnest. As part of this process, we want to keep our sponsors, fans and community apprised of our thinking as we go forward.
Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review.
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.
This review and ultimate change was sparked by sponsors such as FedEx, Pepsi, Nike and Bank of America saying they would drop affiliation with the team if the name was not replaced. FedEx owns the naming rights to the team’s Maryland stadium, which they threatened to pull, while Nike removed all team merchandise from their online store.
While a new name and logo is expected soon, multiple reports have said trademark issues are preventing an immediate reveal. ESPN has reported that the organization’s goal is to retain the burgundy and gold colors, and to pick a name that “includes the military.”
The team has two weeks to get any copyright issues figured out if they want a new name by the time players report.
Some favorites for a new name have included Washington Redtails, Presidents, and Generals.
The team was founded as the ‘Boston Braves’ in 1932, before becoming the ‘Boston Redskins’ the next year. They’ve been known as the ‘Washington Redskins’ since relocating to the nation’s capital in 1937.