Introducing the Washington Commanders
For many years, there’s been pressure to change the name of the football team in Washington away from the “Redskins” due to its racist past.
But there was a resistance to change until brands, including FedEx, threatened to pull their sponsorships.
There’s a lot that goes into a rebrand: time, money, focus groups, trademarks, etc.
18 months later, for the most part, especially the uniforms, Washington did a great job.
It’s in honor of the military – which fits.
“As an organization,” team co-owner and co-CEO Dan Snyder said Wednesday, “we are excited to rally and rise together as one under our new identity while paying homage to our local roots and what it means to represent the nation’s capital.”
But just like naming a child, you have to think about how it can be turned around against you. You weigh the pros and cons on potential ill-fitting nicknames. The only one I can think of, in a polarizing time that we’re in, is “commies”.
You hope people take the high road… but it’s not always the case.
This is a step in the right direction though when it comes to ridding the sports leagues of offensive nicknames, especially towards the Native American community. First, Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians rid themselves of the “Indians” nickname, and now Washington.
What’re your thoughts on the new uniforms and nickname?
(Cover photo source: https://twitter.com/Commanders/status/1488883322038243329)
Michael Saks Digital 