President Donald Trump has called for the renaming of Washington’s football team and Cleveland’s baseball team back to their previous names, the Redskins and Indians, respectively. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he claimed that there is significant support for such a change, suggesting that many Indigenous Americans desire the teams to reclaim their former identities, which he argues are integral to their heritage and culture. Trump pointed out that the societal climate has changed since the name changes occurred and urged team owners to act on this sentiment.
Josh Harris, the new owner of the Washington Commanders, affirmed earlier this year that the team would not revert to the Redskins name, dismissing any speculation about it. Harris took over the franchise in 2023, after the name was changed from Redskins following the 2019 season. The team adopted the name Commanders in 2022.
Meanwhile, Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations for the Cleveland Guardians, emphasized that there are no plans to revisit the Indians name after officially changing it in July 2021. The Guardians have worked to establish their brand over the last four years, following a decision to phase out the controversial “Chief Wahoo” logo in 2018.
Both teams have experienced a mix of criticism and support from fans regarding their name changes, reflecting broader national discussions on race and representation in sports. The Guardians and Commanders represent significant historical franchises with roots in American sports since the early 20th century. Interestingly, David Blitzer is involved in both ownership groups, representing a unique connection between the two teams.
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