CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Indians posted a tweet at 8:31 pm Friday about finding “the best way forward regarding the team’s name.”
This occurred approximately 30 hours after corporate sponsors FedEx and Nike began pressuring the NFL’s Washington Redskins to change their nickname. Obviously, that had an impact on the Indians. Why else make the tweet public on Friday night?
No one of the Indians plans to speak publicly on the subject at this time. They want the tweet to be the franchise statement. It was comprised of the team’s leadership, with input from Tribe President Chris Antonetti, General Manager Mike Chernoff and many others. Owner Paul Dolan was very involved and approved the final statement.
This occurs just 18 months after Dolan spoke to me about dropping the Chief Wahoo logo, calling it “the most difficult decision we’ve had to make during our ownership.” In that same interview on January 29, 2018, Dolan said: “Not only are we firm in maintaining the name of Indios, but Commissioner (Rob Manfred) similarly supports the name.”
He added: “The use of the name does not concern the Commissioner. We are confident that the name will continue. “
So what changed?
THE NEW RACIAL CONSCIOUSNESS
This has been a year like no other for Major League Baseball and the world. COVID-19 eliminated the end of spring training and the start of the regular season.
Then there was the murder of George Floyd on May 25 at the hands of four Minneapolis police.
The country was in turmoil. When the protests broke out, Antonetti received a text message from Theo Epstein, a close friend who also runs the Chicago Cubs. They started talking on the phone about “doing something” to address the issue of racism. They started talking to other GMs in baseball and Manfred.
“Rob supported me immediately,” Antonetti said in a Zoom call on June 11. “He said it is something that we as an industry must do and that we must all do together.”
Baseball came up with “Black Lives Matter”. United for Change. “In the end, $ 1.1 million was raised from various teams and MLBs and distributed to five charities: the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Color for Change, Equal Justice Initiative, Jackie Robinson Foundation and Campaign Zero.
Dolan told Antonetti that there had to be more than statements: “We have to continue the action.” The Indians began to analyze the issue of the diversity of the organization. They had conference calls, some deep discussions.
“It is not a problem just for today,” said Antonetti. “We are thinking in the long term. It needs to be sustained action. It is not just in the wake of George Floyd’s death that we are talking about. It has to be a source of continuous conversation for months and years ahead. “
THE TEAM NAME
During some of the discussions, the team name came up. The Indians heard from their people that the name was “offensive” or at least politically out of touch with 2020 America.
The organization had grappled with demands to get rid of Chief Wahoo for decades from Native American groups and regular fans before making the decision in 2018. The Indians and the Major Leagues deny it, but it was no secret that the Indians were online for the All-Star 2019 Game. MLB did not want Chief Wahoo’s debate to hover over an exhibition event.
My guess is that the Indians got tired of the problem. That led to Dolan’s decision to create a new logo. I knew it was going to change at some point, and it was better to make the move before the All-Star Game.
While some fans and media people also pushed for a name change, that was not as strong as the anti-Chief Wahoo sentiment. It was not until the recent protests and the search for souls by the Indians that followed when the discussion about leaving the name began in earnest.
But there was no rush to make a change. Dolan and the organization wanted to carefully consider the ramifications of any decision.
THE WASHINGTON DISPUTE
Meanwhile, the Washington NFL team has been under fire for years to change its nickname. Owner Daniel Snyder has refused, until now.
Washington plays at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. In 1998, FedEx agreed to pay $ 205 million over 27 years for the stadium’s naming rights, and FedEx owner Fred Smith has a minority stake in the team.
On Thursday, FedEx released a statement: “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that the team be renamed.” Nike is another corporate sponsor advocating for change.
The Indians were well aware of this. Special interest groups and fanatics are lobbying corporations for social change.
I was told that the Indians have not yet faced those pressures. Progressive Insurance paid $ 58 million for the naming rights for the old Jacobs Field. That was for 16 years and expires in 2024. Mayfield-based Progressive is also a big advertiser on Tribe broadcasts.
Money talks. Teams want their corporate partners to be happy.
No one says it, but the Tribe’s tweet release so soon after FedEx / Washington statements is no coincidence. By saying they are seeing a possible name change, Indians can keep warm from their corporate sponsors.
WILL THE NAME CHANGE?
While the team insists that no final decision has been made, it would be a surprise if the Indians kept the nickname.
The tweet is the first step in figuring out what to do next. The team will be called Indios for the 2020 season.
I think it is doubtful that they will make a small change, like calling it “The Tribe”. I guess they will start again, a new nickname and a new logo. But my sources continue to say that no final decision has been made.
However, in this political and commercial climate, team leaders will carefully look for possible options. Fans are already submitting suggestions like “Cleveland Rocks” and “Cleveland Spiders”. A new nickname could be the result of a fan vote. It could be a marketing boost for the team, selling merchandise and items from the ancient Indians with the new name and logo.
I have a feeling that the team is tired of the debates over Wahoo and the Indians. They are ready for something new, and this year’s hectic events have added more urgency to make the switch in time for the 2021 season.
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New Indian face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed face liners for coronavirus protection, including a mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charities.
