A brand new era: Washington Redskins become ‘Commanders’

03-02-2022

Mark Sommers and Jessica Hannah

A brand new era: Washington Redskins become ‘Commanders’

dean bertoncelj / Shutterstock.com

As Washington’s NFL team reveals its new 'Commanders' name, Mark Sommers and Jessica Hannah of Finnegan unpack the much publicised rebranding process.

Washington DC’s national football league (NFL) unveiled its new team name the “ Washington Commanders” on Wednesday, February 2, after much public speculation and curiosity.

This rebranding marks a decisive new chapter for the team, which called itself the “Washington Football Team” after retiring the judicially declared racial slur “Redskins” in 2020.

The team joins numerous sports teams that have pivoted away from team names and logos disparaging toward Native Americans, such as the Cleveland major league baseball team, which rebranded from the Cleveland Indians to the Cleveland Guardians in 2021.


Washington Redskins, NFL, rebranding, Finnegan, racism, trademark applications, USPTO, legal dispute

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