The Washington Football Team’s new nickname is far from being finalized, but team president Jason Wright ruled out one option that had gained momentum within the fan community: “Warriors” will not be a consideration.
Wright wrote on the team’s official site that Washington would stay away from any new nickname or logo with a “linkage to Native American imagery,” and the potential “Warriors” nickname was deemed too close.
“One might look at this name as a natural, and even harmless transition considering that it does not necessarily or specifically carry a negative connotation,” Wright wrote. “But as we learned through our research and engagement with various groups, ‘context matters’ and that makes it a ‘slippery slope.’ Feedback from across communities we engaged clearly revealed deep-seated discomfort around Warriors, with the clear acknowledgment that it too closely aligns with Native American themes.”
In a recent interview with The Washington Times, Wright declined to mention who exactly the team spoke with, but he said Washington wanted to build a beneficial relationship with American Indian leaders, regardless of what the new nickname might become.
Washington retired its former name and logo last summer, and the process for choosing a new one has been lengthy. The team will remain known as the Washington Football Team for this upcoming season. According to The Washington Post, Washington should unveil the new name and logo early next year, with the team’s burgundy-and-gold color scheme still in use.
As part of the rebranding effort, a trademark would need to be secured. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued an initial refusal last month for the Washington Football Team name, because a preexisting application is too similar. That could lead to consumers feeling “confused, mistaken, or deceived as to the commercial source of the goods and/or services of the parties.”
Washington has six months to offer a retort to that refusal, or the application will be abandoned. Team owner Dan Snyder has attempted other trademarks in the past, including “Warriors.” But Snyder, through a holding company, abandoned the “Warriors” trademark in 2019 and lost the chance last year, complicating the rebranding process further.
Other potential names, including the “Redtails” and “Red Wolves,” have also been filed by groups over the years.
Wright wrote that the method of deciding a new name features an “inclusive process to listen to all voices.” Wright added that the team has “given particular emphasis to engaging, listening and learning from Native American leaders and individuals throughout the country.”
“This process has exposed to us the very deeply-held personal feelings about our previous imagery and association — and not just the simple, easy-to-categorize ‘who’s for or who’s against’ polling of our old name, but research revealing the psychological effects of Native American team names on American Indian and Alaska Native youth,” Wright wrote.
“In sum, this engagement demonstrated to us a consensus that moving forward with no ties to Native American imagery is the right path,” Wright continued.
Wright said the news that “Warriors” won’t be the team’s new name could be disappointing to some fans, but he emphasized he wants the new nickname to “unite us.” He wrote that Washington is down to a short list of final names.
“We will continue to rely upon the insight and support of many of you as it moves forward to a final decision,” Wright wrote. “As a team, we are confident that our new brand identity will honor our legacy and lead us into our future as a franchise.”
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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