Oddsmakers list Commanders as heavy favorite to change their name

New Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris deflected recently when asked about the possibility of the franchise undergoing another rebrand. 

Two sportsbooks, however, appear to be much more convinced that a name change is possible.

Oddsmakers have listed the Commanders as a heavy favorite to have a new name in time for the 2024 season, with both BetOnline and sister site SportsBetting.ag putting the chance at -400.

The oddsmakers also listed 19 names as potential possibilities in which gamblers could bet on. For both, “Spartans” was the favorite at 6/1 — a reference to Magic Johnson’s minority ownership stake in the team. Other names behind that included Football Team/Club (7/1), Red Hogs (8/1) and Magic/Magicians (9/1). 

Despite the odds being listed, there are no assurances that Harris will look to change Washington’s name — let alone for it to be done in time for the 2024 season. The team’s rebranding to the Commanders took 18 months and was a long, drawn-out process. 

At his introductory press conference, Harris said Washington’s new ownership group would “look at everything” in regard to the name, but mentioned that it wasn’t among the team’s initial priorities. The private equity billionaire declined to state his personal views on the moniker.

“It’s not about how I feel,” Harris said. “It’s about how the city feels about all of this stuff.”

Still, the rumblings that the Commanders might change their name again have persisted over the last few days. ESPN reporter Don Van Natta said in a radio interview that sources told him that there was a “pretty good chance” Harris would rebrand the team. Magic Johnson, Harris’ business partner and a Commanders limited partner, said on NBC’s “Today” that “everything’s on the table” after this coming season.

“The name of the team will come up eventually, but right now we’ve got enough work to do and that will keep us busy,” Johnson said. 

BetOnline listed a “no” bet at +250. The company’s full list of names it listed for Washington’s next potential mascot can be found below: 

Spartans (6/1)

Football Team/Club (7/1)

Red Hogs (8/1)

Magic/Magicians (9/1)

Armada (10/1)

Presidents (11/1)

Ambassadors (12/1)

Brigade (12/1)

DCs (12/1)

Defenders (12/1)

Red Tails (12/1)

Senators (12/1)

Sentinels (12/1)

Wolves (12/1)

Crimson (14/1)

Owls (14/1)

Red Pigs (20/1)

Monuments (33/1)

Redskins (50/1)