Daniel Snyder, the owner of Washington’s NFL franchise who infamously stated that he would NEVER change the name of his franchise has finally caved and agreed to drop the racist name and logo of his team because of massive financial pressure from FedEx, Pepsi, Nike, and a slew of minority owners who threatened to sell their portion of the team.
To be clear, I doubt Snyder is making the name change out of the goodness of his heart. Look, after 20 years of owning the team, I’m still not sure he even understands why the “Redskins” name and logo offend a large portion of the Native American population. What is clear is that Snyder understands money and with financial pressures mounting the sun has officially set on his team’s name and logo.
The team issued the following weak statement that clearly makes Snyder look like a spoiled child who is being told to do something he doesn’t want to do:
On July 3rd, we announced the commencement of a thorough review of the team’s name. That review has begun in earnest. As part of this process, we want to keep our sponsors, fans and community apprised of our thinking as we go forward.
Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the Redskins name and logo upon completion of this review.
Dan Snyder and Coach Rivera are working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud tradition, rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years.
Bad Public Relations
For Snyder, this controversy appears to have never really been about being racist, it has always been about money. Snyder who could easily get the support of the “better late than never crowd” continued to shot himself in the foot with the ridiculous press release the team put out today.
Today’s attempt at PR was poorly executed as it mentions sponsors twice before fans and community. The press release also went on to announce that they are “retiring” the name and logo. Does that mean that they are going to be able to collect a full-pension, receive a gold-watch, and get to suffer through a company farewell party?
Retiring is clearly the wrong word to use when describing removing a racist name and logo from a brand. Did NASCAR say it was retiring the confederate flag?
“The presence of the confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry. Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”
In NASCAR’s statement, they don’t say anything about retiring the flag and certainly don’t mention sponsors. Clearly, Snyder is still kicking and screaming like a spoiled child as change is being forced upon him.
The MIGHTY Line
For a long-time, the only plausible explanation I could come up with why Snyder kept the team name was that he believed it increased the value of his franchise. Simply put – I believe he didn’t want to change the name and logo because he believed it would significantly devalue his team.
Today’s press release makes Snyder look like a spoiled child who is reluctantly agreeing to do something that he clearly doesn’t want to do. Daniel take out the trash. Daniel unload the dishwasher. Daniel make-up your bed. Why do I need to make-up my bed when I sleep in it every night asks Daniel?
At this point, Snyder should embrace the name change publicly. He should be apologizing for this taking so long and ready his franchise for a new era of football in good old D.C. Instead he is acting like a spoiled child who doesn’t want to take out the trash.
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) July 13, 2020
