Topline
The Washington Football Team announced its new name on Wednesday—the Washington Commanders—after an 18-month process to find a new mascot after the team retired its original name, the Redskins, following mounting criticism over the derogatory nature of the name.
Key Facts
The announcement, first made on the Today show, ends the 87-year stretch with its former name, and two seasons as the Washington Football Team.
Team officials have said it would be important to incorporate the military into the name, as a nod to Washington’s military bases and the Pentagon.
The team’s burgundy and gold color scheme will stay, but the team will get a new logo and rebranded uniforms featuring the new name, according to the franchise.
Big Number
$4.2 billion. That’s how much the team is worth, according to a Forbes valuation, making it the fifth most valuable franchise in the NFL.
Key Background
Washington’s decision to retire a name that Native Americans called offensive in July 2020 was a major reversal from team owner Daniel Snyder’s views, as he pushed back against public pressure for nearly a decade. “We will never change the name of the team,” Snyder told USA Today in May 2013. “It's that simple. NEVER — you can use caps.” Major Washington sponsors like Pepsi, FedEx and Nike warned they would pull out of their agreements in the summer of 2020 over the name, and D.C. officials threatened the team might have to move.
Further Reading
Washington Football Team To Announce New Name Next Month—Here's What It Won't Be (Forbes)
Washington Redskins Officially Announce They Will Change Team Name (Forbes)
What The Washington Redskins Rebranding Process Looks Like From Here (Forbes)
