Former President Donald Trump recently expressed his desire for Washington's football franchise and Cleveland's baseball team to revert to their original names. In a statement shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged that the Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. He emphasized that there is significant public interest in this change, stating, "There is a big clamoring for this."
Similarly, Trump mentioned the Cleveland Indians, highlighting the team's rich history as one of the six original baseball franchises. He claimed that many Native Americans want the name change back, arguing that their heritage and prestige are being systematically diminished. "Times are different now than they were three or four years ago," Trump added, asserting that America is a "Country of passion and common sense." He concluded with a call to action for team owners, saying, "OWNERS, GET IT DONE!"
In contrast to Trump's strong sentiments, Josh Harris, the new owner of the Commanders, who purchased the team from former owner Dan Snyder in 2023, previously stated that the name will remain as it is. Shortly after taking control, Harris dismissed speculation about reverting to the Redskins, asserting that such a change would not occur.
Additionally, Chris Antonetti, the president of baseball operations for the Guardians, indicated before a recent game against the Athletics that there are no plans to revisit the name change. He acknowledged the mixed reactions to the name change decision made a few years ago, stating, "We understand there are different perspectives on the decision we made, but obviously it's a decision we made." Antonetti expressed excitement about building the Guardians brand over the last four years and looked forward to the team's future.
Both the Commanders and the Guardians adopted their current names in the 2022 seasons. Washington officially dropped the Redskins name after the 2019 season, initially rebranding as the Washington Football Team for two years before settling on Commanders. Cleveland, on the other hand, announced its decision to retire the Indians name in December 2020 and subsequently transitioned to the Guardians in July 2021. Notably, in 2018, Cleveland also phased out the Chief Wahoo logo as its primary branding.
The name changes for both teams have sparked debates, reflecting broader national discussions about sports institutions re-evaluating names and logos considered offensive or racist. The Guardians represent the fifth name for Cleveland's baseball franchise. The team originally joined the American League in 1901 as one of the charter franchises called the Blues. It underwent several name changes over the years, becoming the Bronchos, then the Naps, and finally the Indians in 1915.
The Washington franchise began its journey as the Redskins in 1933 in Boston before relocating to the nation’s capital four years later. The historical significance of both teams' names and their evolution reflects broader societal changes and the ongoing conversation about representation in sports.
Interestingly, both teams share a common connection through David Blitzer, a member of Harris' ownership group for the Commanders, who also holds a minority stake in the Guardians. This connection highlights the intertwined nature of sports ownership and the potential impact of public sentiment on team branding moving forward.
