Why the Washington Redskins Will Remain as the Redskins

Let’s pretend like the New York Yankees held a press conference and decided that they are going to become the New York Boroughs.


Let’s then pretend like Walt Disney World is going to be re-named Lake Buena Vista World.


Lastly, let’s pretend like the company of Apple is going to change to Granny Smith Inc.



None of these ideas sound appealing, right? Those names just don’t seem to fit, right? Well, this is exactly what would happen if the Washington Redskins change their name. And this will also be why the Redskins are never going to change that name, whether it’s the right thing to do or not.

The Washington Redskins have existed since 1932---when they started out in Boston (Ironically, along with the Boston Braves). They are the second most-valuable franchise in the NFL and one of the most valuable in the entire world. The Redskins are worth 1.7 billion dollars. They are the first professional team with a marching band and a fight song. They have won several championships and Super Bowls for an area that isn’t used to winning. Their attendance is the best in the NFL for the past several years.

As ridiculous as it may seem, changing the name despite being the morally correct thing to do would be a financial setback to the organization. The Washington Reveres, the Washington Capitals, the Washington Mountainmen, the Washington Union, the Washington Yanks---doesn’t matter how different or how potentially good the name will be, it will not have the old-school, retro, and generation-laden appeal of the Redskins.

If you want a great example of name-changing and how it can negatively impact an organization look no further than the Charlotte Bobcats. They rank near the bottom in attendance, appeal, and attention. And this is with Michael Jordan at the helm. You know what team has more mainstream and underground appeal than the Bobcats? The Charlotte Hornets. That’s right, the franchise that peaked in the 90s, led in attendance several years in a row, and was a staple in the NBA and in the hip-hop community. That’s right, the brand that had left the NBA in 2002.

And even after New Orleans got the Hornets brand, it wasn’t the same and the franchise never really took off---forcing them to change names and become the Pelicans. And the 1988 Charlotte Hornets remained such a staple even after the city got a new basketball team with a new look that starting next season they are going to re-become the Hornets. Whether or not the New Charlotte Hornets can ever match the 90s popularity will remain to be seen—but I can guarantee you they regret not going after the Hornets name brand back in 2004 when they first re-entered the NBA.

And let’s pretend like that even if the demand was too great and Washington finally changed the name, what on earth is to stop the hats, jersey, shirts, and jacket companies from simply continuing to print the Redskins logos for the retro sales? You can still find Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Washington Senators, New York Giants, and Los Angeles Raiders hats and apparel online and in sports stores nationwide even if each of the franchises I mentioned no longer actually exist. Even if Washington became the Gridiron, the Redskins gear would most likely outsell it.

Look, I am not stating an opinion about whether or not the Redskins should change into another name in the near-future. What I am stating is that from a financial standpoint, it would not benefit the organization and will be the ultimate be-all, end-all reason why I don’t see a name-change happening in my lifetime. There is far too much money running through the veins of the Redskins name to block it off with a change.



And you and I both know how far the NFL and its greedy owners are willing to go to keep that financial momentum.



Get used to the Washington Redskins, because I have 1.7 billion dollars convincing me that the name is here to stay---whether you and America likes it or not.