Commanders president Jason Wright has no desire to change the franchise’s nickname back to the Redskins.
Washington changed its nickname to the Washington Football Team in July 2020. Many Native American leaders had advocated for the franchise to change its nickname for decades, citing racial insensitivity.
In February 2022, Washington changed its name to the Commanders. However, a fan named Daniel Fazzolare recently drafted a petition urging the franchise to consider change the name back to its pre-’20 iteration.
During a Wednesday appearance on 106.7 The Fan, Wright was blunt when addressing whether the team would change its name.
“It is not being considered,” Wright said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “Period.”
Although Wright stated that the team isn’t moving backward in regard to its nickname, Fazzolare believes the franchise “restoring its original name is the right decision for the team, its loyal fan base and the legacy it represents.”
New minority owner Magic Johnson recently said it’s possible the franchise could change the Commanders’ nickname. But judging by Wright’s statement, there’s at least one name that can be ruled out.
Washington will begin the ’23 NFL season on Sept. 10 against the Cardinals.
