Commanders Owner Confirms Team Name Will Not be Changed

Ending months of speculation, Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris has confirmed that the NFL team will not be changing back to the Redskins, despite a vocal faction of fans calling for the controversial name to be returned.

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Harris has put to rest any speculation about changing the team’s name. Speaking at a postseason press conference on Monday, Harris confirmed that the name “Commanders” is here to stay.

“I think it’s now embraced by our team, by our culture, by our coaching staff. So we’re going with that,” Harris said, stressing that the name has gained meaning for the franchise.

Despite some initial backlash from fans when the team rebranded, Harris believes the name now represents qualities like toughness, great football skills, and strong teamwork. “It’s really meaningful that the name is growing in meaning,” Harris added.

The team’s rebranding began in 2020 when Washington retired the name “Redskins,” a move that had been a point of contention for years due to its offensive connotations toward Native Americans.

After two years as the “Washington Football Team,” the franchise officially adopted the “Commanders” name in February 2022 under the ownership of former owner Dan Snyder.

Harris, who took over ownership in 2023, had made it clear from the start that there would be no return to the old name. “For obvious reasons, the old name can’t come back,” Harris stated in August 2024.

Although many fans still express disappointment with the new name, including a poll in April 2024 showing that 58% of local Commanders fans disliked the change, the team has experienced success under the “Commanders” banner.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels helped lead Washington to the NFC Championship Game in his first season, marking the team’s best performance in over three decades.

This success has helped solidify the name as something the team can rally behind. At a season-ending press conference, head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters referred to the “Commanders’ standard,” which players echoed throughout the year.

Harris also hinted that the franchise would draw on its history, though he was vague about specifics. H

e expressed a desire to “honor our past and bring it together with our future,” alluding to the potential return of some old elements like uniforms, but clarified that the “Commanders” name is part of that future.

While some fans, including those on social media, have called for a return to the “Redskins” name, especially after the political shifts in the wake of Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, Harris has remained firm in his stance.

The original “Redskins” name had been a source of controversy for years, and its retirement followed protests from activists and sponsors over its racial insensitivity, particularly after the George Floyd protests.

The name change was solidified under pressure from sponsors threatening to cut ties with the team.

For now, Harris is focused on building the future of the Washington Commanders, with plans to honor the team’s past while pushing forward with the current identity.

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