Will they ever change the name?

[SkinsOrlando]

Washington Lubricants ?? We've been getting f***** without any for years

 

[Chris]

 

[MikefromOH]

What if we put a portrait of a chief from an actual tribe on our helmets and honored them that way?

I wonder if that would work?

 

[Boone]

I like Nicki, but this is beyond sloppy. First of all, they've never said this previously. It does (if you believe the statement) put to bed the idea that they've 'been working on a name change and just aren't talking about it', but they've never said anything close to having 'no current plans in the works'. They've just refused to answer the question. Secondly, and more importantly - why so the sports media folks allow answers like that to stand. Obviously the question is not whether they are currenly working on a name change, the question is 'do they intend to change the name?'. We all know this. The reporters certainly know it. So why aren't they asking that question until they get a real answer? I find it infuriating.

 

[Chris]

Until I see or hear a statement from Josh Harris that the franchise has has (sic) no intention of changing the name…

Talking about it amongst themselves, investigating it, etc all comfortably fit in the “no plans in the works” basket.

 

[Boone]

I hope you are right, I really do. I think I'm going to have a harder time than most accepting 'Commanders' if I'm forced to.

 

[Bulldog]

I want a winning football team and quality organization in place after 25 years of wandering in the desert first.

I am not surprised the new owners are playing it close to the vest on these other issues as there is a heavy lift now ongoing to achieve Goal #1.

There are a lot of people that have no patience. They cry about Snyder for years and then a few months after the sale and the hiring of a GM and Head Coach they are already panic stricken that there has not been significant movement in re a new name, logo, and stadium site only THREE weeks after the draft.

People here are getting like they are in New York - never satisfied. My grandfather watched the Giants beat the Bills in the Super Bowl in 1990 (he and my uncle were season ticketholders) and after they had won one of his first comments was 'geez - they could only beat this team by a single point?'

 

[Boone]

Whatever.

 

[MikefromOH]

I don't think anyone here is crying or panic stricken.

This is a forum where the conversations tend to be about things to keep us engaged and talking. I think a stadium is about as important of an issue as you can think of. It literally floods sewage on fans. The name change is a hot topic because nobody wanted it and it was forced on us.

There really isn't much else to talk about right now. Daniels is barely in mini camp and the coaches aren't really doing too much.

 

[Bulldog]

Yeah, there was a big article in today's Post about the stadium bill in Congress. It appears the poltiical ins and outs will keep Harris and his delegate/representative to sell the new stadium idea quite busy over the next 12-18 months.

I am glad the team is making the improvements in the current stadium as we have a number of years yet to go there.

 

[Chris]

I hope you are right, I really do. I think I'm going to have a harder time than most accepting 'Commanders' if I'm forced to.

You’re not the only one. Sheehan nicely took the ‘just move on’ crowd to task yesterday.

I simply see a significant difference between no plans in the works vs no plans.

 

[Miles Monroe]

I'd swear Harris said they would change the name in one of his first pressers, but it wasn't a top priority.

 

[Ashburn Dave]

I found one video that at :58 says Harris is open to considering changing the Commanders name.

 

[Primus Porcus]

i'm about 90% sure Harris was asked about the name change in one of his pressers and he basically said "we're focusing on the coaching / GM search right now".

He didn't say they wouldn't do it, just that it wasn't going to be their public focus at that time.

 

[Boone]

He punted the question. And the team continues to punt the question. It’s time they answer the fucking question imho. A big portion of the fanbase wants to know. They know at this point if it’s their intent and fans deserve to know.

And Bulldog - telling any Redskins fan they ‘have no patience’ - sorry brother, but I think that’s about as tone deaf a comment as I’ve ever seen. No one is expecting them to announce a new name, logo, uniforms today. But answering a GD direct question directly requires nothing - except honesty. The Harris Group needs to do better - even if the answer is ‘Commanders forever’.

 

[tshile]

I think think the only chance is to just be ‘Washington’. Consider Redskins retired, and commanders cast off as a last fuck you to the fan base from Snyder on his way out.

Problem is you can’t trademark that. That’s a costly decision. I think it’s the right one, but it’s not my money.

I accept Redskins is never coming back.

But any ‘new’ name is going to face some version of what they’re seeing now - it’s baked into the problem you’re trying to solve. But a less crappy name, with a better roll out, could be significantly better. Follow it up with winning and playing competitive ball and it can become something we’re attached to again.

Unfortunately this is what happens when you run a brand into the ground and have to rebuild it.

I couldn’t believe they spent 5.5+ billion on an org with financial issues, infrastructure needing replacing across the board, clean house internally across the board, *and* no brand to build on? Phew.

 

[tshile]

i'm about 90% sure Harris was asked about the name change in one of his pressers and he basically said "we're focusing on the coaching / GM search right now".

He didn't say they wouldn't do it, just that it wasn't going to be their public focus at that time.

He was specifically asked at a DC business event he spoke at several months after acquiring the team. Local business leaders get together and network and he was invited to speak. What he did affirm that night was that it wouldn’t go back to Redskins.


Not sure if this has been mentioned but the league has a rule about franchise name changes and it bans them within 5 years of the last change. They’d need a waiver from the league just to have permission to change it. I’m not positive that would be a difficult thing to get, but it’s technically a step required. You’d think they’d get that before putting money into a name change.

 

[Boone]

That rule actually pertains to logos/imagery, not specifically the 'name' based on what I read. And it's not at all clear that it pertains post-sale of a team. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I think there is a lot more fluidity/uncertainty there. When a group of businessmen pays $6 Billion for an entity, they are going to have quite a lot of latitude and grace to do whatever the hell they want within the bounds of reason.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I also think there is specific verbiage regarding an ownership change circumventing that rule

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

I also think there is specific verbiage regarding an ownership change circumventing that rule

Yes, this was at least widely reported when the purchase happened - that Harris would have the option to change the name. I don't know if there is some kind of timer associated with that opportunity though.