The team formerly known as the Washington Redskins will now call itself "the Washington Football Team" until the adoption of a new name, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.
Effective immediately, Washington will call itself the “Washington Football Team”, pending adoption of a new name, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 23, 2020
This is not a final renaming and rebranding for team; this is the name it wants to use until pending adoption of a new name in the future. pic.twitter.com/sBs0Uo0ICm
Schefter clarifies that this is not the final renaming or rebranding of the team name, though it does confirm that, going forward, the Redskins team name is a thing of the past.
The Washington Football team will reportedly not see any changes to their colour scheme, keeping the iconic burgundy and gold. The Redskins logo will be replaced by the player’s number in gold.
The Washington Football Team will continue the process of retiring the Redskins name and hopes to be entirely rid of it on physical and digital spaces in the next 50 days, by the Sept. 13 regular-season opener against the Eagles.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 23, 2020
The new team name and imagery changes will be present at their week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The name of the team has been a source of elevated controversy in recent years. Taken from a term that was once used to refer to Native Americans, the name was decried by Washington, DC, Mayor Vincent Gray in 2013. That same year, a group of Native Americans brought suit before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, stating that the team should lose its trademark protections.
In terms of a new name, franchise owner Dan Snyder, who has been vocal in his opposition to changing the team name in the past, said that the team will "take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise, but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community it is proud to represent on and off the field."
The revived push for a name change came after FedEx, one of the team's main sponsors who have naming rights to the team's stadium, requested that the team change their name. Nike and PepsiCo, two other major sponsors, have also put pressure on the company, with Nike removing all Redskins gear from their online store.
"This issue is of personal importance to me and I look forward to working closely with Dan Snyder to make sure we continue the mission of honoring and supporting Native Americans and our Military," coach Ron Rivera said.
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