Commanders Owner Explains Why He Shut Down Talk of Reinstating Former Nickname

The Commanders are adjusting to life after owner Daniel Snyder, under whose stewardship Washington became one of the most maligned franchises in all of sports. In the aftermath of Snyder formally selling the team on July 21, a potential break with the Commanders name has entered discussions surrounding the franchise’s new era.

Some elements, however, have seized upon these discussions to call for the return of Washington’s old nickname—a racial slur directed toward Native Americans. In response, new owner Josh Harris has taken a hard line against the name's return.

“Obviously, I grew up in D.C. and I was there during the glory years, so I understand why fans love the former name. But, look, there was a portion of our fan base that felt disrespected by the former name,” Harris said Friday afternoon, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “Sports are supposed to bring people together and not be a distraction. I don’t want distractions.... I thought it was important that we end the conversation.”

Josh Harris on shooting down consideration of going back to the Redskins name: "Obviously, I grew up in D.C. and I was there during the glory years, so I understand why fans love the former name. But, look, there was a portion of our fan base that felt disrespected by the former…
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 8, 2023

The team jettisoned its old name before the 2020 season, and spent ’20 and ’21 as the Washington Football Team. The team changed its name again to the Commanders ahead of the 2022 season, in which it went 8–8–1 and finished last in the NFC East.