Washington to retire Redskins name and logo
FILE PHOTO: Washington Redskins football shirts and a team flag on sale at a sporting goods store in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, U.S., June 24, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
WASHINGTON, D.C. (News Nation) — The NFL’s Washington team said on Monday they will retire their Redskins name and logo in a decision made after sponsors stepped up pressure to scrap a name long criticized as racist by Native American rights groups.
Team owner Dan Snyder had previously said he would not change the name under any circumstances but softened his stance after FedEx Corp, which owns the naming rights to the team’s Landover, Maryland, stadium, urged the NFL club to rebrand.
The team said on July 3 the club would conduct a thorough review of the club’s name.
“Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review,” said the NFL team in a statement, News Nation affiliate WRIC reports.
The team did not provide a timeline for when the review would be completed.
Full statement from the team
On July 3rd, we announced the commencement of a thorough review of the team’s name. That review has begun in earnest. As part of this process, we want to keep our sponsors, fans and community apprised of our thinking as we go forward.
Statement from NFL’s Washington team
Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review.
Dan Snyder and Coach Rivera are working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years.
