Major league baseball has made another name change announcement. At the end of the 2021 season, the Cleveland Indians are changing their name to the Guardians. This is not the first team in professional sports to announce a name change, and it certainly won’t be the last.
Known as the Indians since 1915, the announcement was made earlier this year with sources stating, “We feel like it’s the right thing to do …”. In light of the recent protesting and rioting after the death of George Floyd, many league CEO’s are taking a look at their names, policies, etc. and making changes. These changes are meant to represent conversations that are being had all over the United States in hopes of eliminating racism and everything potentially racist.
I, personally, think there is no reason to change the name after decades of branding and merchandising. While some may find the name offensive, I would argue that less are upset by leaving the name as is. I have seen on occasion that some cultures actually feel respected and noticed when a winning franchise brings light to their background and culture. I would also argue that if feelings are involved in every name and decision ever made literally no person will be happy again. There is no way to eliminate hurt feelings.
Paul Dolan, CEO of the Indians spoke to ESPN magazine saying, “ … We’re not asking anybody to give up their memories or the history of the franchise that will always be there.” I would argue that changing the name because of potential past and future links to racism does not allow lifelong fans a chance to hold onto the memories they have. What fan is going to want to display memorabilia and wear gear when it has been publicly linked to racism? They will be forced to either purchase all new items, or give up a public display of the team they love.
What do you think about professional sports teams changing their names?
Do you think major league teams are responsible for making sure no one gets their feelings hurt?
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31868331/cleveland-changing-name-indians-guardians
Replies
I think that it would be ok for them to stay the same name. I get why they are changing it and why some people are offending but I think it isn't necessary. I think it will be hard for any team to have a name that won't offend someone. I don't think it is the teams responsibility to make sure no one gets their feelings hurt but they will get blamed.
I think that they should've kept the name because they have so much history with it. Aso if some fans have not heard that they are changing their name they might not even realize thats they are the same team as before. They should not be changing it because they might lose a lot of fans because of it to.
I think they should all keep their current names because they've all had them for so long and it has become normal names to everyone. I don't think its the MLB's job to keep everyone happy and if someone does not like a team name they don't have to watch that team.
I agree that they should keep the names because they have had them for a long time.
I do not think that professional sports team should have to change their name because they have had that name for many years and that is what certain people or most of their fans know them as. I understand how people may find certain team names offensive, but I think that the teams should just be able to keep their team names.
I don't think that professional sports teams should have to change their names that they've had for years because people are just now finding it offensive. I think the name change was unnecessary, but on the other hand I'm not in a place to say if they should find the name offensive.
I agree with you that they should not have to change their team names.
I think that professional sports teams shouldn't have to change their names because people now find these names racist after one person died. I also think that these names have a history that we need to represent. I think that MLB teams aren't responible if thier fans are hurt by thier team's name and history.
I agree that professional sports team should not have to change there name because they are historic.
Changing their name sounds futile because They've always ben The Cleveland indians and they should always be the Indians. the MLB, NFL, ETC, shouldn't have the resposibility to keep everyone from getting their feelings hurt.
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