FedEx Field’s turf will likely have a new name for the upcoming NFL season. Photo from Wiki Commons.
- All signs indicate that Dan Snyder will finally be moving forward with a process of changing the name of the Washington, D.C. professional football team
- Presidents? Generals? Lincoln’s? Roosevelt’s? Which one will be the new winner?
- See the full list of potential nicknames and odds for the franchise’s re-naming below
After years of debate and protest, time finally looks to be running out on the Washington football team’s name. With D.C. already home to the Nationals and Capitals, could the “Presidents” be headed to the gridiron?
That nickname is the current favorite in a prop wager regarding what Washington’s NFL team is going to be called if the name is indeed changed.
Odds on New Name of Washington, D.C. NFL Team
| Nickname | Odds |
|---|---|
| Presidents | +300 |
| Generals | +400 |
| Lincolns | +400 |
| Americans | +500 |
| Kings | +500 |
| Memorials | +500 |
| Capitols | +600 |
| Veterans | +600 |
| Jeffersons | +700 |
| Roosevelts | +700 |
| Monuments | +800 |
| Arlingtons | +1000 |
Odds taken July 3rd
With pressure mounting for change, oddsmakers seem to be in a rush to locate possible new names for the team. Ex-Presidents such as the Lincoln’s, Roosevelt’s and Jefferson’s are other suggested contenders.
The Washington Trump’s? Let’s maybe not go there, although odds are it will only be a matter of time until the Tweeter-In-Chiefs weighs in with his lack of sense about this obviously divisive issue.
Money Talks, NFL Listens
The Merriam-Webster dictionary says the word Redskins is very offensive and should be avoided. However, NFL owners are motivated by losses that they personally find to be much more offensive. They don’t like it when the money threatens to walk.
FedEx, which owns naming rights to the team stadium – a 27-year deal signed in 1999 and worth a reported $205 million – were the first major NFL sponsor to call for change. “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name,” FedEx said in a statement.
New from @nflcommish pic.twitter.com/mH4s7knM2T
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) July 3, 2020
Pepsi, another major team sponsorship partner, added its voice to the call for a name switch. “We have been in conversations with the NFL and Washington management for a few weeks about this issue,” Pepsi said in a statement. We believe it is time for a change.”
Nike is also supporting the idea by pulling all team merchandise from their stores.
After years of being defiantly resistant to criticism from Native American groups, the NFL and the team suddenly grew ears as corporate sponsors expressed their displeasure.
Team owner Dan Snyder indicated in a statement Friday that a thorough review of the team’s name with the league was already underway.
What’s In a Name?
Changing an offensive name is old hat for Washington pro sports franchises. In 1995, the NBA’s Washington Bullets became the Wizards. Owner Abe Pollin indicated at the time that with the city’s high rate of gun crime and homicides, he found the team name to be disturbing.
Just 11 days ago, odds were +1200 against Washington’s NFL team changing its nickname.
The last NFL team to switch its nickname was the Tennessee Titans. They opted to drop Oilers one season after relocating from Houston.
Washington’s nickname actually followed the team to town when it moved to the nation’s capital from Boston in 1937. If the city’s MLB team followed that trend, the Nationals would still be the Expos.
Is Presidents a Winner?
It seems like some possible candidates didn’t even make the odds board. The Washington Corruption? No, that sounds more MLS than NFL.
Why not the Senators? It would pay homage to Washington’s first MLB franchise.
Of the contenders, Presidents looks like the favorite for good reason. The Generals? Really? The team that always loses to the Harlem Globetrotters?
Okay, we need a new name for the Washington NFL franchise. Wrong answers only.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) July 2, 2020
Washington plays in the NFC, so Americans isn’t a fit. It’s doubtful that they’d be willing to single out a specific past President.
And Kings? Come on, people. This is the capital city of a country founded by getting rid of a king.
Pick: Presidents (+300)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
source https://casinonewsblogger.com/odds-on-washingtons-new-team-name/
No comments:
Post a Comment