In a move that has been discussed for decades but never fully materialized, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com is reporting that the Washington Redskins will undergo a nickname change and sooner than you think.
According to Schefter, Washington has taken the steps to undergo a shift in its historic brand, starting with the end of the Redskins nickname.
According to Les Carpenter of the Washington Post, head coach Ron Rivera has been in discussion with team owner Dan Snyder and that nickname change will likely take place before the season and home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, September 13.
“If we get it done in time for the season, it would be awesome,” he said. “We came up with a couple of names—two of them I really like.”
The urgency for a name change stems from the increased pressure on Snyder from billionaires to change the team’s nickname recently. FedEx, which has sponsored Washington’s home stadium since 1999, requested the nickname be changed in a strong statement that was followed by similar requests from Nike, and PepsiCo to end their business relationship with Washington unless the team agreed to change its nickname.
Nike has removed all Washington team merchandise from its online store.
The team moved to Washington D.C. prior to the 1937 season and has utilized that nickname ever since.
