President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians to revert to their former names, the Redskins and the Indians, respectively, citing cultural and political reasons. This has put the Commanders’ new stadium deal in D.C. at risk, as owners Josh Harris and David, Blitz reportedly face potential White House leverage over the project. The issue has sparked debates over cultural sensitivity and the impact of historical names on sports teams.
According to recent reports, Harris and Blitz have warned business associates that the White House ‘does indeed have some leverage’ over the stadium plans, with potential repercussions if the Commanders do not restore the Redskins name. Trump has publicly criticized both organizations, with the Commanders coming under fire for not restoring the name in a series of posts on Truth Social. The president has threatened to block the stadium deal unless the Commanders change their name back to the Redskins, stating that the team would be ‘much more valuable’ under the original name.
Additionally, Trump has directed similar criticism towards the Cleveland Guardians, urging their owner, Matt Dolan, to revert the team’s name to the Cleveland Indians. Trump argues that the name change has negatively impacted the team’s political standing and that restoring the name would bolster its success. The D.C. Council is set to vote on a revised bill allowing the Commanders to build the stadium, with the outcome dependent on whether the team agrees to the name change.
Harris has remained firm on keeping the Commanders’ name, emphasizing its cultural and military significance. However, the situation underscores the growing influence of political figures in sports branding and the complex interplay between legacy and modern sensitivity. As the D.C. Council prepares to vote, the outcome of this dispute could have lasting implications for both the NFL team and its relationship with the broader community.