Said Jason Wright, president of the Washington Football Team (the erstwhile "Redskins"), quoted in "WFT’s new name won’t be ‘Warriors’ or include any Native American imagery, Jason Wright says" (WaPo).
“One might look at this name [Warriors] as a natural, and even harmless transition considering that it does not necessarily or specifically carry a negative connotation,” Wright wrote on the team’s website. “But as we learned through our research and engagement with various groups, ‘context matters’ and that makes it a ‘slippery slope.’ ”...
“We recognize that not everyone is in favor of this change,” he added. “And even the Native American community offers a range of opinions about both our past and path forward. But in these moments, it is important to prioritize the views of those who have been hurt by our historical use of Native American language, iconography and imagery."...
The team has been working with Code and Theory, a creative agency, to pore over 40,000 fan submissions, hold focus groups, send out fan surveys and talk with local and national leaders to narrow the list....
How would you like to work at Code and Theory, the creative agency? Here's their page discussing their work with the Washington Football team. Sample text:
In 2020, we learned to distance in new ways, and we also learned to unite in new ways. We called for change, kneeled for change, marched for change—and hurtled change forward. And for Washington D.C.’s NFL team, a nearly 100-year-old institution, change was necessary.
Having debuted a new, interim name — Washington Football Team — they called Code and Theory to help usher in a new era of inclusivity, transparency, respect and shared passion. To bring to life the 360° rebrand, we quickly assembled our own team with intention, bringing in a diversity of expertise, experience, cultural identity and football fluency.
In a sea of symbols, we put the focus on home turf and team pride. We realized a team doesn’t need a rocket ship or a roaring beast to express patriotism or show power. Those things are inside, beating in the hearts and veins of everyone who works to unite a team.
The Washington Circulatory System...
Posts
13 comments:
Temujin writes:
""In 2020, we learned to distance in new ways, and we also learned to unite in new ways. We called for change, kneeled for change, marched for change—and hurtled change forward." Hurtled change forward? Unfortunate imagery there. In 2020 they also looted for change, burned out businesses for change, illegally amended election procedures for change, flim-flammed a national election for change, shut down society for change, smiled as cities burned - for change, refused to allow kids in school for change, censored key news stories for change, made up other false news stories for change, replaced equality for 'equity'- for change, arrested people not wearing masks for change, censored studies on Ivermectin for change, and opened up our borders to anyone with the money to pay a cartel - for change.
"And, oh yeah, we changed the logo on the football team that represents the people who run our country - for change."
I'm feeling pretty good about our leaders right about now.
RB writes:
"What's wrong with simply keeping the name "Washington Football Team (WFT)?" Anything team management does from this point forward will remind fans of the previous name that's gone missing. Their name has been basically changed to the WFT; leave it and move on.
"Of course, WFT alone does not lend itself to an easy logo, so that will be a challenge in developing a line of memorabilia. Call in more experts!"
Lucien writes:
"They lost me at “kneeled” instead of “knelt”. “Hurtled change forward” doesn’t land gently on the ear either. (But picture throwing nickels and dimes.)"
"Hurtled change forward" — it sounds reckless, but maybe in football, one thinks of a forward pass, which is thrown with precision. Yet "hurtled" sounds more reckless....
Heartless/Surfed writes:
"Washington Team Football = WTF = Who The Fucks?
"My social groups have for the most part sworn off NFL football... I haven't watched a game in two seasons now..."
When I was a teenager, I loathed football to the point where it wasn't enough that I could avoid ever watching it, I wanted no one else to be watching it. I feel my teenage dream is within reach!
For some reason, Dave Begley thinks the "New name should be Washington Leeches."
Lloyd writes:
"The old joke is the brand consultant tells you nothing is more central to your business than your brand, it builds loyalty, it makes people think about you without advertising, etc. Then for their million-dollar fee, they recommend that you change your corporate name and logo. And by the way, the new ones will be as bland and forgettable as possible. All companies will have names something like Aviva or Novabel. Pharmaceuticals? Beer? Condoms? Bibles? Who knows? The Olympic "mascot" will be some kind of living organism, but not specific by species, race, gender, beauty as compared to ugliness, etc. I guess anything like a spiky virus has kind of lost its cuteness."
Alex writes:
""it is important to prioritize the views of those who have been hurt by our historical use of Native American language, iconography and imagery."
"So the weakest, most hysterical get the most influence. Might as well call their team the Washington Doormats."
George writes:
"The average football fan's age is 50, and only 9 percent of fans are under age 18, according to Street & Smith. The average NFL ticket price is $154, and the average D.C. price is $113. The average D.C. resale price? $460, according to ticketiq. A hot dog and a beer cost $17.50 in D.C., says cheapism. Median NFL player salary? $860,000, says work.chron. D.C. median income? $85K; 16.8 percent poverty rate, says datausa. The poverty ceiling is about $36K for a family of four.
"(I'd be interested to learn the inflation adjusted cost of 1970 tickets, food, etc.)
"Here are a few possible new names for the team...Royalists, Monarchs, Kings, Princes, Lords, Overlords, Taxmasters. They could wear bright red coats, er, jerseys."
Birches writes:
"The smart bet would be to keep it as Washington Football Team. But consultants don't get paid for that.
"Code and Theory is trying to find a name that will appeal to people who don't even like football, I'm betting. Lots of our Upper Middle Class betters who believe that football should be banned because of Traumatic Brain Injuries--- hey whatever happened to that nonstop news story? I can't wait to see the trainwreck results."
Chris writes:
"My football career lasted eight weeks in my sophomore year of high school. I quit when it finally dawned on me that I didn’t want to run into people intentionally. I threw the discus instead.
"My vote: the Washington Wolves."
Mark writes:
"Hats off to Code and Theory. Not only did they create an unnecessary service, they marketed it to multi-millionaires. Apparently, the name is unimportant if it drew fans as "The Washington Football Team."
"But, if asked, my nomination would be The Washington Bergerons."
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