The real-life Quidditch leagues have changed their name in a bid to "distance themselves" from JK Rowling.
The bodies in charge of the sport, which is inspired by the author's Harry Potter books, say the change is being made because Rowling “has increasingly come under scrutiny for her anti-trans positions in recent years”. In an announcement, US Quidditch and Major League Quidditch revealed they are both rebranding by changing the word Quidditch to 'Quadball'.
Another motivation for the name change, they added, is that 'Quidditch' is trademarked by the American film company Warner Bros, which produced the Harry Potter films, limiting the sport’s ability to grow. In December last year we told how the groups revealed their intention to change the name and that a survey would be conducted as part of the rebranding. On Tuesday, the groups revealed 'Quadball' had come out on top.
In a joint statement, a spokesperson said: "The governing bodies made the decision to pursue the name change for two reasons. First, J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter book series, has increasingly come under scrutiny for her anti-trans positions. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign as well as the three lead actors in the Harry Potter film series have criticised her stances.
"In addition, the sport inspired by quidditch is looking to continue to grow like other sports that have sprung from humble origins. USQ and MLQ will own the trademark for “quadball” in the United States."
MLQ co-commissioner Amanda Dallas said in a statement: “Bringing full creative control of the name of our sport to the vibrant community of players and fans that has grown and sustained it will allow our organizations to take the next step.
“We are now able to pursue the kinds of opportunities that our community has dreamed about for years.”
Quidditch players run around on broomsticks and try to score points by throwing balls into three rings belonging to the opponents while "seekers" compete to catch a small flying ball called the "golden snitch".
The first real-life game was played in 2005 and there are now more than 450 teams worldwide in more than 30 countries. Players hold broomsticks between their legs as they play the contact sport.
Real-life quidditch was originally adapted from the Harry Potter book series in 2005 at Middlebury College in Vermont by Xander Manshel and Alex Benepe.
Benepe was a proponent of a name change and expressed his support of the leagues' actions. He said: “For me personally there is definitely some nostalgia to the original name, but from a long term development perspective I feel confident this is a smart decision for the future that will allow the sport to grow without limits into its own unique space for many years to come.”
Rowling, from Edinburgh, has faced accusations of transphobia for more than two years and has been at the centre of several social media storms after voicing controversial opinions about transgender people.
Fans of the franchise have since slammed Rowling for her comments as well as actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Eddie Redmayne.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
