Washington Redskins To Change Their Name?

July 3, 2020 | By Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

There has been considerable pressure for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) to change their name.

In light of recent events highlighting systemic racism against Blacks and Native Americans,  this review formalizes the initial discussions the team has been having with the league and corporate sponsors in recent weeks.

Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, stated “This process allows the team to take into account the proud traditions of the franchise.  We continue the mission of honouring and supporting Native Americans and our military”

New Stadium

The Redskins stadium and the team are owned by Dan Snyder.  The owner Dan Snyder sold the naming rights of the stadium to FedEx for over $7 million USD per year and it is believed that FedEx is pressuring the team to make a change.

There is a plan to build a new stadium, but Fedex was not comfortable with the continued use of that name.  FedEx has been pressuring the franchise to make a name change to continue receiving their sponsorship money.

Corporate Sponsorship

Nike has pulled all of the Washington Redskins merchandise off of Nike’s website.

Discussions to change the Washington Redskins name have been around for years.  7 years ago when the current owner Dan Snyder purchased the team he said he would never change the name.

Now that his main corporate sponsors such as FedEx and Nike are against it will the owner finally agree to make a change?

We await the outcome of the decision.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior National & International Correspondent for GTA Weekly.