Editing Washington Commanders (section)

===Redskins branding controversy===
{{see also|Washington Redskins name controversy|Washington Redskins name opinion polls|label 2=opinion polls}}
The team's former [[Redskin]]s branding, used from 1933 until 2020, was one of the leading examples of the [[Native American mascot controversy]]. Various people and groups, such as the [[National Congress of American Indians]] (NCAI), considered the name a racial slur and attempted to get the team to change it for decades.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hylton |first=J. Gordon |date=January 1, 2010 |title=BEFORE THE REDSKINS WERE THE REDSKINS: THE USE OF NATIVE AMERICAN TEAM NAMES IN THE FORMATIVE ERA OF AMERICAN SPORTS, 1857–1933 |url=https://law.und.edu/_files/docs/ndlr/pdf/issues/86/4/86ndlr879.pdf#page=1 |url-status=dead |journal=North Dakota Law Review |volume=86 |page=879 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616022746/https://law.und.edu/_files/docs/ndlr/pdf/issues/86/4/86ndlr879.pdf#page=1 |archive-date=June 16, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 10, 2013 |title=NCAI Releases Report on History and Legacy of Washington's Harmful "Indian" Sports Mascot |work=NCAI.org |url=http://www.ncai.org/news/articles/2013/10/10/ncai-releases-report-on-history-and-legacy-of-washington-s-harmful-indian-sports-mascot |url-status=dead |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011183011/http://www.ncai.org/news/articles/2013/10/10/ncai-releases-report-on-history-and-legacy-of-washington-s-harmful-indian-sports-mascot |archive-date=October 11, 2013}}</ref> In a 2013 letter, Snyder stated that while respecting those that say they were offended, a poll conducted by the [[Annenberg Public Policy Center]] in 2004 found that 90% of Native Americans were not.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2013 |title=A Letter from Dan Snyder |url=http://files.redskins.com/pdf/A-Letter-from-Dan-Snyder.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716182200/http://files.redskins.com/pdf/A-Letter-from-Dan-Snyder.pdf |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=September 7, 2020 |website=Redskins.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 2013 |title=Letter from Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder to fans |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/letter-from-washington-redskins-owner-dan-snyder-to-fans/2013/10/09/e7670ba0-30fe-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921224312/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/letter-from-washington-redskins-owner-dan-snyder-to-fans/2013/10/09/e7670ba0-30fe-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html |archive-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref> This poll was essentially replicated in 2016 by ''[[The Washington Post]]''. Social scientists from the [[University of Michigan]] and [[University of California at Berkeley]] performed a study in 2020 that measured Native American opinion in detail, finding that 49% had responded that the name was offensive, with the level of offense increasing to 67% for those with a stronger involvement in Native American culture.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/02/04/native-mascots-survey/| website=Berkeley News| title=Washington Redskins' name, Native mascots offend more than previously reported| author=Yasmin Anwar| date=February 4, 2020| access-date=September 23, 2023| archive-date=June 25, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625094127/https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/02/04/native-mascots-survey/| url-status=live}}</ref> When the franchise was undergoing a [[Washington Redskins trademark dispute|trademark dispute in 2014]], the ''Washington Post'' announced their editorials would no longer use the "Redskins" name.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 22, 2014 |title=Washington Post editorials will no longer use 'Redskins' for the local NFL team |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/washington-post-editorials-will-no-longer-use-redskins-for-the-local-nfl-team/2014/08/22/1413db62-2940-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html |access-date=June 1, 2021 |archive-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223162548/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/washington-post-editorials-will-no-longer-use-redskins-for-the-local-nfl-team/2014/08/22/1413db62-2940-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weissman |first=Jordan |date=June 18, 2014 |title=Why Washington's NFL Team Might Not Need to Worry About Losing Its Trademarks |url=https://slate.com/business/2014/06/washington-football-team-loses-trademark-case-why-it-might-not-matter.html |access-date=June 1, 2021 |website=Slate.com |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215413/https://slate.com/business/2014/06/washington-football-team-loses-trademark-case-why-it-might-not-matter.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ESPN updated their employee work policies to allow their reporters to choose how to refer to the team going forward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deford |first=Frank |date=July 23, 2014 |title=The Washington Football Team That Must Not Be Named |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/07/23/334034480/the-washington-football-team-that-must-not-be-named |access-date=June 1, 2021 |website=NPR |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220824/https://www.npr.org/2014/07/23/334034480/the-washington-football-team-that-must-not-be-named |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Breech |first=John |date=August 23, 2014 |title=ESPN updates its policy regarding use of Redskins team name |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/espn-updates-its-policy-regarding-use-of-redskins-team-name/ |access-date=June 1, 2021 |work=CBS Sports |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081836/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/espn-updates-its-policy-regarding-use-of-redskins-team-name/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Matt |date=May 22, 2014 |title=50 Senators Call on Washington Football Team to Change Name |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/senators-washington-nfl-team-name-change/ |access-date=June 1, 2021 |website=MotherJones.com |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214141/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/05/senators-washington-nfl-team-name-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following a [[United States racial unrest (2020–2023)|period of racial unrest]] triggered by the [[murder of George Floyd]] and subsequent [[George Floyd protests|protests]] in 2020, a letter signed by 87 shareholders and investors was sent to team and league sponsors [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], [[FedEx]], and [[PepsiCo]] urging them to cut their ties unless the name was changed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=July 14, 2020 |title=How the events of 2020 forced the Washington NFL team's name change |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29460299/how-events-2020-forced-washington-nfl-team-name-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714200616/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29460299/how-events-2020-forced-washington-nfl-team-name-change |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McDonald |first=Scott |date=July 1, 2020 |title=Washington Redskins Urged to Lose Name, or Millions in Sponsorships |url=https://www.newsweek.com/washington-redskins-urged-lose-name-millions-sponsorships-1514894 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703123716/https://www.newsweek.com/washington-redskins-urged-lose-name-millions-sponsorships-1514894 |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Liz |date=July 10, 2020 |title=In private letter to Redskins, FedEx said it will remove signage if name isn't changed |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/10/private-letter-redskins-fedex-said-it-will-remove-signage-if-name-isnt-changed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714190207/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/10/private-letter-redskins-fedex-said-it-will-remove-signage-if-name-isnt-changed/ |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Around the same time, several retail companies began removing Redskins merchandise from their stores.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2020 |title=Amazon to pull Redskins merchandise while team mulls nickname change |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29430296/amazon-pull-redskins-merchandise-team-reviews-nickname |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715110936/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29430296/amazon-pull-redskins-merchandise-team-reviews-nickname |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyko |first=Kelly |date=July 6, 2020 |title=Walmart, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods pull Washington Redskins items as team evaluates name |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/07/06/redskins-merchandise-not-for-sale-target-walmart-stores-name-change/5384674002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714052827/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/07/06/redskins-merchandise-not-for-sale-target-walmart-stores-name-change/5384674002/ |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |access-date=July 15, 2020 |newspaper=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> In response, the team underwent a review in July 2020 and announced that it would play as the Washington Football Team after retiring its name and logo in wake of the [[List of name changes due to the George Floyd protests|George Floyd protests]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=July 13, 2020 |title=Washington retiring nickname, logo; new nickname TBD |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-retires-nickname-logo-new-nickname-tbd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716111601/https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-retires-nickname-logo-new-nickname-tbd |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=July 16, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Statement From The Washington Redskins Football Team |date=July 13, 2020 |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-redskins-retiring-name-logo-following-review |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713134913/https://www.redskins.com/news/washington-redskins-retiring-name-logo-following-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

The team rebranded as the Commanders, featuring new logos and uniforms, in 2022.<ref name="WashingtonCommanders">{{cite press release|title=The Washington Football Team is now the Washington Commanders|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/the-washington-football-team-is-now-the-washington-commanders|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=Commanders.com|date=February 2, 2022|access-date=June 6, 2023}}</ref><ref name="WSHCommUniforms">{{cite news|last=Shook|first=Nick|title=Washington announces new team name: Washington Commanders|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-commanders-new-team-name|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=February 2, 2022|access-date=June 6, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202132401/https://www.nfl.com/news/washington-commanders-new-team-name|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Please do not remove the URL references from Commanders.com or NFL.com regarding the team's current name from this section or the article. Also, please leave the wiki-code formatting in the |website= field for all URL references from Commanders.com throughout the article as-is and please do not change to |website=Washington Commanders. Thank you. --> In 2023, the [[Native American Guardians Association]] (NAGA) launched a petition to return to the Redskins branding; NAGA later attempted to sue the Commanders for defamation after team management claimed NAGA to be a "fake" association.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Jackson |date=September 25, 2023 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Washington Commanders sued by Native American organization trying to restore old team name |url=https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/exclusive-washington-commanders-sued-by-native-american-organization-trying-to-restore-old-team-name-redskins-native-american-guardians-association-naga-cleveland-kansas-city-chiefs-american-indians-ncai |access-date=November 14, 2023 |website=NBC Montana}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mordowanec |first=Nick |date=September 25, 2023 |title=Washington Commanders Accused of Defaming Native Americans in Name Fight |website=[[Newsweek]] |url=https://www.newsweek.com/washington-commanders-accused-defaming-native-americans-name-1829702 |access-date=November 14, 2023}}</ref> In 2024, [[U.S. Senator]] from Montana [[Steve Daines]] advocated for the NFL to honor [[Blackfeet Nation]] member Blackie Wetzel in recognition of his role in designing the team's former logo depicting a Native American chief based on [[John Two Guns White Calf]], the last chief of the Blackfeet. While Daines sought to honor the legacy without calling for the return of the Redskins branding, some viewed the gesture as insufficient compared to addressing more pressing community needs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Szpaller |first=Keila |date=May 15, 2024 |title=Daines advocates that Washington Commanders 'make it right' with Wetzel family |url=https://dailymontanan.com/2024/05/15/daines-advocates-that-washington-commanders-make-it-right-with-wetzel-family/ |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=Daily Montanan |language=en-US}}</ref> The Wetzel family stated their desire to regain the rights to the logo to use it to raise awareness about social issues on reservations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Caldwell |first1=Dave |title=A Native American designed Washington's logo. Now his family want it back |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/07/a-native-american-designed-washingtons-logo-now-his-family-want-it-back |access-date=July 6, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=December 7, 2021}}</ref> In November 2024, the [[U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources]] voted 17–2 to transfer control of the RFK Stadium site to the District of Columbia. The bill's approval came after negotiations between the team, NFL, and Daines to potentially restore the Redskins logo, with portions of merchandise proceeds going to Native American causes.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Coley |first1=Joanne |title=Commanders Urged to Consider Bringing Back Redskins Logo |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/news/washington-commanders-weighing-bringing-back-redskins-logo |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=November 27, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Salguero |first1=Armando |title=NFL And Congress Discussing Return Of The Washington Redskins Logo |url=https://www.outkick.com/sports/nfl-congress-discussing-return-washington-redskins-logo |website=[[OutKick]] |date=November 24, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2024}}</ref>