Senator hints at logo negotiations.
There has been growing speculation about the potential return of the old Redskins logo for the Washington Commanders. Montana Senator Steve Daines recently indicated that negotiations are underway that could lead to its limited use, potentially with revenues from merchandise directed to Native American causes in sports.
Daines made these remarks while discussing a bill from the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which could pave the way for the Commanders to build a new stadium on the site of the old RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. As part of these talks, there have been discussions to reintroduce the Redskins logo in some form, though it would not be a full return.
The Washington football team, previously known as the Redskins, faced pressure for years from activists and sponsors to change its name. After a two-year period as the Washington Football Team, the franchise officially adopted the name Washington Commanders in 2022. Despite this, a significant portion of the fan base remains dissatisfied with the new name—58% of fans have expressed negative opinions about it, and many are calling for yet another rebranding.
Some polls prior to the name change revealed that most Native Americans did not find the term “Redskins” offensive. In fact, a group of Native Americans filed a federal lawsuit in 2023, claiming that the team’s name change had harmed Native American history and violated their civil rights. Despite these tensions, Daines has suggested that proceeds from merchandise with the old logo could be used to support Native American initiatives, framing it as a way to honor Native American culture. However, reports indicate that the logo’s return may focus more on memorabilia such as throwback jerseys, rather than full-scale merchandising.
The Commanders have promised to honor Walter “Blackie” Wetzel, the designer of the Redskins logo, and ensure that throwback gear will no longer be altered to remove the old emblem. However, these discussions do not involve a return to the Redskins team name. The team faced controversy last year when head coach Dan Quinn wore a shirt featuring a blend of the old and new logos, prompting an official apology. While the new name still has its critics, team leadership, including Marjorie Harris, remains focused on other priorities, stating that the name issue is not a current priority.
