Report: Washington NFL team expected to change name in next 24 hours
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There’s going to be a new name in the National Football League this season.
Yahoo Sports reported late Sunday that the NFL’s Washington franchise has committed itself to a new name, the league has asked partners to begin scrubbing “Redskins” from their platforms in anticipation of a change that could be coming as soon as Monday.
Charles Robinson, senior NFL reporter for Yahoo, told ESPN Radio’s Dallas-Fort Worth station that “Washington is about to have a new name in the next 24 to 48 hours” on Saturday.
BREAKING NEWS from @CharlesRobinson: a name change for Washington is coming within 24 to 48 hours.
As first heard on the Saturday Sports Brunch with @clarencehilljr and @DJR1033. pic.twitter.com/bWYLT6tUrs
— 103.3 FM ESPN (@1033fmESPN) July 11, 2020
The new name remains unknown, but Warriors, Red Wolves and Redtails have ranked among the post popular choices among fans on social media, USA Today reported.
Looks like 4 names are far ahead in the debate over a Redskins name change – Warriors, Redhawks, Redtails and Redwolves https://t.co/tOfhmpuWgQ
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) July 9, 2020
The team name is widely held to be a racist slur against Native Americans and stadium sponsor FedEx first asked for the name change in early July.
After the request, a statement from the Redskins was distributed claiming they would “undergo a thorough review of the team’s name.”
Owner Dan Snyder has not shown a willingness to change the name since buying the team in 1999. He told USA Today Sports he would “NEVER” change the name.
Recently, more than a dozen Native American leaders and organizations sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell calling for the league to force Snyder to change the team name immediately.