Washington NFL Team Announce Name Change Following Years-Long Race Row
Topics: Washington, Sport
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Washington, Sport
The Washington Football team has revealed its new name as part of a rebrand.
On Wednesday, February 2, on NBC's Today show, Washington unveiled its new logo and name.
The rebranding process first began in July 2020, spurred on by the murder of George Floyd, which caused calls for a change to rise among fans and corporate sponsors.
LIVE: Introducing our next chapter https://t.co/SPKYwISuFc
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022
The team will now be known as the Washington Commanders, Washington Times reports.
Hints around the new name were first noticed when changes were made to the group's website domain name, and signage inside the team's stadium was updated.
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Despite owner Dan Snyder's vow to never change the group's name, the rebranding first began when the team moved away from using the name Redskins, which had been used for more than 87 years.
The team became known as the Washington Football Team for its seasons in 2020 and 2021, but the name was mocked.
Furthermore, amid the rebranding, another scandal came to light after 40 former employees alleged that while working for the team, they had either witnessed or experienced sexual harassment.
The future of Washington football is here #TakeCommand pic.twitter.com/MwkCLTkVAA
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022
An investigation that spanned the course of a year led to the franchise being fined $10 million by the NFL.
While he denied doing so, Snyder was also accused of hindering the investigation.
The owner also bought out his minority partner in the business for $875 million, however the legal battle proved difficult.
Coach Ron Rivera hopes that the rebranding will offer the team a 'fresh start' to 'step beyond the shadow of what we've had to deal with'.
One legacy. One unified future.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022
We are the Washington Commanders #TakeCommand pic.twitter.com/Eav9NOV5Mm
Fans reportedly suggested almost 40,000 alternative names for the group, and were updated at different stages of the process via a series of newsletters formulated by Jason Wright, president of the team.
Washingtonjourney.com was also created so that fans could track the rebranding journey.
The new name is hoped to reflect the 'ethos' of the fanbase and also honour the area, according to Wright.
The team's iconic colours of burgundy and gold have also been carried over in the new design.
Forever a tradition: Burgundy & Gold pic.twitter.com/RSNEx96TI5
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022
On Monday, former quarterback Joe Theismann told CBS Sports Radio, 'Commander, basically, is Washington D.C. A lot of commanders in Washington, D.C., in the Pentagon and a lot of different branches of the service. So, to me, that’s really the way I’m looking at it — as positions of leadership when it comes to the new name.'
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