Washington's American football team was today expected to announce it is dropping the name “Redskins” after protests from Native American leaders and sponsors.
Owner Dan Snyder was said to be set to “retire” the name for one of the sport’s oldest franchises.
Last week more than a dozen Native American leaders and organisations wrote to Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League (NFL), demanding an immediate end to Washington’s use of the name.
They said they “expect the NFL to engage in a robust, meaningful reconciliation process with Native American movement leaders, tribes, and organisations to repair the decades of emotional violence and other serious harms this racist team name has caused to Native Peoples”.
The Washington Post reported on Friday that FedEx, sponsor of the team’s stadium, had threatened to withdraw if the name was not changed.
It was unclear when a new name would be announced, but “Warriors” was one candidate being widely touted. Mr Snyder has attempted to trademark the name.
