The Washington Redskins released a statement Friday that they “will undergo a thorough review of the team’s name” amid renewed pressure.
“In light of recent events in our country and comments from our community, the Washington Redskins announce that the team will undergo a thorough review of the team name. This review formalizes the initial discussions the team has been having with the league in recent weeks.
“… We believe this review can and will be done with everyone’s best interest in mind.”
Team owner Dan Snyder has come under more pressure in recent weeks to change the name given the social climate following George Floyd’s death in Minnesota.
“This process allows the team to consider not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise, but also the contributions of our alumni, the organization, the sponsors, the National Football League and the local community that it is proud to represent. on and off the field, “Snyder said in the statement.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Friday that the league has had “ongoing discussions” with Snyder and that he “supported this important step.”
On Thursday, FedEx, which has naming rights for the team’s stadium under a $ 205 million deal that runs through 2025, requested that the team change its name. Sponsors Nike and PepsiCo are also reportedly under pressure to cut ties with the team unless it changes its name.
Frederick Smith, president, CEO, and president of FedEx Corp., also has a minority stake in the Redskins.
On Thursday night, Nike seemed to remove all Redskins gear from its online store. The other 31 NFL teams were on the list, and the search for “Redskins” returned no results. Nike did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
In 2014, The Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin asked FedEx shareholders to reconsider the naming rights agreement, but shareholders voted to continue with company officials and continue the business relationship, according to the Memphis Business Journal.
Native American leaders want Snyder to change the name, which the franchise has used since 1933. In the past, groups protested the name and tried to win in court. Those efforts failed.
“This topic is of personal importance to me and I look forward to working closely with Dan Snyder to ensure that we continue the mission of honoring and supporting Native Americans and our military,” Coach Ron Rivera said in the statement.
On Thursday, an Ohio school district decided that its high school sports teams should no longer be known as the Redskins.
The Forest Hills Board of Education voted 4-1 to “withdraw” the name and mascot of Anderson High School, which is located in an eastern Cincinnati suburb. A new name has not been chosen, and officials plan to announce a timeline and process for selecting a new name and pet soon. The Redskins’ logo will be phased out in stages beginning in the 2020-21 school year, authorities said.
ESPN’s John Keim and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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