The Washington Commanders have made their stance clear on a possible name change, saying the current name is now a core part of the team’s identity. This comes after President Donald Trump recently shared his thoughts about the franchise’s name. The team’s owner, Josh Harris, has already said there are no plans to change the name, keeping the NFL team in the nation’s capital on a steady path.
According to Yahoo Sports, Trump shared his views on the Washington NFL team’s branding while talking to reporters. He spoke first from a helipad in Morristown, New Jersey, and later to a reporter near Air Force One. The president said he preferred the team’s old name and admitted his comments might stir controversy.
He said the old name had a certain “ring” to it that the new one does not. He claimed that if he were running the team, he would not have changed the name at all. Still, Trump pointed out one major factor that could make people accept any team name: winning. He argued that if a team performs well, especially by winning games, fans will grow to like the name no matter what it is. He said if the Commanders keep winning, the name will likely become popular and well-liked, even if some people had doubts at first.
Washington Commander’s owner won’t change name for Trump
However, the Washington Commanders have already made their decision, and it does not change based on outside opinions. Some fans have pushed for the team to go back to the old name or pick a completely new one, but the organization is sticking with its current direction. Owner Josh Harris, who previously bought the team for a lot of money, previously held a press conference to explain the team’s choice. At that event, Harris said, “I think it’s now embraced by our team, by our culture, by our coaching staff. So we’re going with that.”
This full support from within the franchise shows they are committed to the name for the long term. His statement makes it clear that the name is here to stay, not just a temporary choice that can be influenced by others
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: President Donald Trump is all for the Commanders changing their name back to the Redskins:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 24, 2025
“I see nothing wrong with it. The name had heritage behind it… All these Indian surnames. I don't know why these names are being taken off. It's degrading.”
Washington… pic.twitter.com/XhCFD3wy9u
The process that led to the “Commanders” name was a long one for the Washington franchise. Originally, the team kept its old name for 87 years. That name was dropped in 2020 after years of controversy over whether it was offensive, especially regarding the use of Native American mascots in sports. After that, the team used a temporary name, the “Washington Football Team,” for two years while they decided on a permanent replacement. In 2022, they officially announced “Commanders” as their new and lasting name.
This change marked a big shift in the team’s public image, moving away from a name with a complicated history to a new brand meant to be more modern and inclusive. The series of name changes reflects larger changes in society about how cultural symbols are used in professional sports.
