" loading="" class="lazyload size-article_feature" data-sizes="auto" data-src="" src="https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Football_Washington_New_Name_09224.jpg?w=525"/>
FILE – The tip zone is labeled with the identify of the Washington Soccer Workforce through the second half of an NFL soccer sport in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles, Jan. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. Washington’s NFL workforce is predicted to announce its new identify Wednesday, Feb, 2, 2022. It has been referred to as the Washington Soccer Workforce the previous two seasons. (AP Picture/Alex Brandon)
By STEPHEN WHYNO | The Related Press
Washington’s NFL workforce is now referred to as the Commanders.
The brand new identify unveiled Wednesday comes 18 months after the once-storied franchise dropped its outdated moniker following a long time of criticism that it was offensive to Native People and below contemporary strain from sponsors. The group dedicated to avoiding Native American imagery in its rebrand after being known as the Washington Soccer Workforce the previous two seasons.
“As a company, we're excited to rally and rise collectively as one below our new id whereas paying homage to our native roots and what it means to symbolize the nation’s capital,” proprietor Dan Snyder mentioned. “As we kick off our ninetieth season, it's important for our group and followers to pay tribute to our previous traditions, historical past, legacy and the greats that got here earlier than us. We proceed to honor and symbolize the Burgundy and Gold whereas forging a pathway to a brand new period in Washington.”
Washington joins Main League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians amongst North American main skilled sports activities groups abandoning names linked to Native People. The NFL’s Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and baseball’s Atlanta Braves have mentioned they aren't planning to make an analogous change.
Because the Commanders, Washington retains the identical burgundy and gold colours that have been round for the three Tremendous Bowl championships within the Eighties and early ’90s glory days. It follows the need of workforce president Jason Wright and coach Ron Rivera for the brand new identify to have a connection to the U.S. navy.
Commanders was chosen over different finalists similar to Crimson Hogs, Admirals and Presidents. Crimson Wolves, an preliminary fan favourite, was dominated out earlier within the course of due to copyright and trademark hurdles.
The rebranding course of had been occurring because the summer time of 2020, when workforce officers opted for the non permanent Washington Soccer Workforce identify that lingered into the 2021 season.
The change comes amid the group’s newest controversy: dozens of former staff describing a poisonous office tradition, which precipitated Snyder to fee an investigation that was taken over by the NFL. After the investigation by legal professional Beth Wilkinson’s agency, the league fined Washington $10 million and Snyder briefly ceded day-to-day operations of the workforce to his spouse, Tanya, whereas he targeted on a brand new stadium settlement.
The league didn't launch a written report of Wilkinson’s findings, a transfer that sparked criticism. The U.S. Home of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform is holding a roundtable dialogue Thursday with a handful of former workforce staff to debate their experiences.
Getting a stadium deal carried out is subsequent on the agenda for Snyder and his entrance workplace. The workforce’s lease at FedEx Area expires after the 2027 season and momentum is constructing for an settlement in Virginia, although websites in Maryland and the District of Columbia are nonetheless into account.
___
Extra AP NFL protection: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL