Organisers of the the real-life Quidditch leagues influenced by Edinburgh author JK Rowling's Harry Potter series have changed their name in a bid to "distance themselves" from her.
They have taken the move because the writer “has increasingly come under scrutiny for her anti-trans positions in recent years”. In a joint statement, the US Quidditch and Major League Quidditch revealed they are both rebranding to 'Quadball', reports the Record.
Aside from the controversy surrounding Rowling, organisers pointed out that 'Quidditch' is trademarked by the US film giant Warner Bros, which produced the Harry Potter films, limiting the sport’s ability to grow. A name change was first mooted back in December and a survey of players launched. On Tuesday, the groups said 'Quadball' had proved the most popular.
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A spokesperson for the game's bodies said: "The governing bodies made the decision to pursue the name change for two reasons. First, J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter book series, has increasingly come under scrutiny for her anti-trans positions. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign as well as the three lead actors in the Harry Potter film series have criticised her stances.
"In addition, the sport inspired by quidditch is looking to continue to grow like other sports that have sprung from humble origins. USQ and MLQ will own the trademark for “quadball” in the United States."
MLQ co-commissioner Amanda Dallas said in a statement: “Bringing full creative control of the name of our sport to the vibrant community of players and fans that has grown and sustained it will allow our organizations to take the next step.
“We are now able to pursue the kinds of opportunities that our community has dreamed about for years.”
Quidditch players run around on broomsticks and try to score points by throwing balls into three rings belonging to the opponents while "seekers" compete to catch a small flying ball called the "golden snitch".
The first real-life game was played in 2005 and there are now more than 450 teams worldwide in more than 30 countries. Players hold broomsticks between their legs as they play the contact sport.
Real-life quidditch was originally adapted from the Harry Potter book series in 2005 at Middlebury College in Vermont by Xander Manshel and Alex Benepe.
Benepe was a proponent of a name change and expressed his support of the leagues' actions. He said: “For me personally there is definitely some nostalgia to the original name, but from a long term development perspective I feel confident this is a smart decision for the future that will allow the sport to grow without limits into its own unique space for many years to come.”
Rowling, from Edinburgh, has faced accusations of transphobia for more than two years and has been at the centre of several social media storms after voicing controversial opinions about transgender people.
Fans of the franchise have since slammed Rowling for her comments as well as actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Eddie Redmayne.
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