Washington
CNN
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Trump’s Remarks on Team Name Change
In reopening discussions about the Washington NFL team’s name, President Donald Trump and others suggested that liberal views were responsible for the franchise changing its name from Redskins to Commanders in 2022.
The Role of Corporate Influence
However, it wasn’t “wokeness” that drove this change; it was driven by economic interests. The decision came from corporate sponsors, not politicians or fanbases.
Triggering Events in 2020
Following the murder of George Floyd in late May 2020, a national dialogue around race prompted FedEx, the team’s stadium sponsor, to urge a name change on July 2.
Immediate Corporate Actions
On the same day, Nike removed Redskins merchandise from its site, and the league announced they were reconsidering the name. Subsequently, major retailers like Amazon and Target followed suit.
Impact of Corporate Backlash
With increased corporate sensitivity to racial issues, the franchise recognized the risk of losing significant revenue due to the name. This prompted a shift in leadership that had previously resisted change.
The Transition to Commanders
On July 13, 2020, the team announced it was retiring its name and logo, opting to go by Washington Football Team temporarily. Less than two years later, it was renamed the Commanders after a public contest.
Longstanding Controversy
This transition was not quick or without opposition. Over the years, there were sporadic protests, and the National Congress of American Indians expressed disapproval of the name in 2013. Despite the team’s arguments that they were honoring Native Americans, public sentiment and legal challenges ultimately led to the name’s demise.
