Former President Donald Trump has publicly called for the return of the original names of Washington’s football team and Cleveland’s baseball team. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “The Washington ‘Whatever’s’ should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team.” He also expressed similar sentiments regarding Cleveland, stating that many “great Indian people” wish for the return of the Cleveland Indians name, arguing that their heritage is being taken away.
Despite Trump’s statements, the current owners of both teams appear firm on maintaining their new identities. Josh Harris, who purchased the Commanders in 2023, has already ruled out a return to the Redskins name, emphasizing that the name change was a step forward. Similarly, Chris Antonetti, the president of baseball operations for the Guardians, affirmed that there are no plans to revisit the decision to change the team’s name from the Indians to the Guardians, stating they are excited about building their brand.
Both teams transitioned to their current names after extensive discussions on the impact of team names and logos viewed as racially insensitive. Washington dropped the Redskins name after the 2019 season, adopting the temporary name of Washington Football Team before becoming the Commanders in 2022. Cleveland phased out the Indians name in 2020, officially becoming the Guardians in July 2021 following the previous phase-out of the Chief Wahoo logo in 2018.
The names are part of a larger conversation in sports about racial sensitivity and representation, with both teams having a rich history. The Guardians have celebrated their evolution while Washington has faced challenges in redefining its identity. Interestingly, both franchises are linked through ownership, as David Blitzer is a minority stakeholder in the Guardians and part of Harris’ ownership group for the Commanders.
As discussions around names and representations continue, it reflects a growing awareness and recognition of the importance of cultural sensitivity in sports marketing and branding.