Could the Washington Commanders be considering a return of the old Redskins logo? Montana Senator Steve Daines seems to think so, revealing recently that there are ongoing negotiations regarding the matter.
“There’s good faith in negotiations going forward that’s going to allow this logo to be used again,” Daines said, according to FOXNews America. “Perhaps revenues going to a foundation that could help Native Americans in sports and so forth.”
The congressman was discussing a bill advanced by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources that allows the Commanders to build a new stadium where the old RFK Stadium stood in Washington, DC. It was advanced based on negotiations with the NFL and the team to bring back the Redskins logo in a limited manner.
“We’re making good progress and, based on the good faith negotiations, I made a decision to support this bill [Tuesday] in the committee,” said Daines.
Censorship of the former Commanders logo was a case of woke gone wrong.
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) November 20, 2024
I applaud the @Commanders & the @NFL for their commitment to never censor the logo again & for working with the Wetzel family to restore it to a place of prominence and honor to benefit Indian Country. pic.twitter.com/BYnNDGXnhB
Fans Hate The Commanders Team Name
The team was pressured for years by protest groups and sponsors to change their name, and after a two-year transition, they were known simply as the Washington Football Team and officially became the Commanders in 2022.
According to the Washington Post, 58 percent of the team’s fans either dislike or hate the new name. Just 16 percent want them to keep the name, with the vast majority of them wanting yet another rebrand.
Of those who want the nickname fixed, 17% would “prefer a change back” to the Washington Football Team at the very least.
Several polls prior to the Redskins changing their team name showed the vast majority of Native Americans did not take offense to the term. A Native American group in September filed a federal lawsuit against the Commanders for changing the name from the Redskins.
They cited defamation, civil conspiracy, and civil rights violations for the organization’s role in suppressing Native American history.
Daines indicates proceeds from merchandise featuring the Redskins logo could go toward supporting Native American causes, indicating it is an opportunity to “honor Indian Country.”
RELATED: Former Commanders DE Montez Sweat Says Changing Team Name From Redskins Was Embarrassing
Maybe Not
The Washington Post reports that the logo doesn’t necessarily involve merchandise going forward, but rather, throwback jerseys or old images not being edited.
The Commanders have agreed to honor Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, who was responsible for designing the logo as a source of pride.
“The team has assured the family it will no longer edit out the old logo from throwback gear,” the Post writes.
None of these negotiations involve a return of the old Redskins nickname.
Head coach Dan Quinn created a storm of controversy last May after sporting a t-shirt that featured his team’s current logo mixed in with parts of the old Redskins logo. The team had to issue a statement apologizing for it.
Marjorie Harris, the Chair of the Washington Commanders Foundation and wife of majority owner Josh Harris, seems content with the new name.
“As you would imagine, everybody has an opinion about the name. Some good, some bad, some in the middle,” she told reporters in May. “I think that we have a lot of work to do and so that name issue is going to be on the side for now until we can get things going.”
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