As of 2022, the team previously known as the Washington Redskins is officially called the Washington Commanders, and there is no active plan or franchise decision to revert to the Redskins name. The Commanders name emerged during a period of sustained public criticism, legal pressure, and declining commercial value tied to the old brand. This evergreen explainer covers the key milestones, ownership decisions, legal realities, and cultural factors shaping the team’s identity, while clarifying the realistic prospects of a Washington Redskins revival.
Key facts at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Current team name | Washington Commanders (2022–present) | Franchise announcement, July 2022 |
| Previous name | Washington Redskins (1937–2020) | Franchise records |
| Last name change date | February 2, 2022 to Commanders; temporary Washington Football Team (2020–2021) | Official press releases |
| Original Redskins adoption | 1937 (moved from Boston) | Historical franchise archives |
| Trademark cancellations | 2014, 2017 PTO cancellations on grounds of disparagement | USPTO records |
| Valuation peak vs. decline | Over $3B pre-2020; notable brand value loss and sponsor exits | Forbes, brand analyses |
| Fan sentiment (survey trend) | Majority of fans opposed retiring Redskins pre-2022; Commanders rebrand accepted over time | Independent polls cited in media reports |
The Redskins era (1937–2020)
The name Redskins became closely associated with the franchise after the 1937 move to Washington. Over decades it became one of the most prominent brands in professional sports, but also the subject of sustained criticism from Native American advocates, media, and policymakers. By the 1990s and 2000s, public pressure, protests, and broadcast policy shifts pushed the issue into the mainstream. Legal setbacks—including USPTO trademark cancellations in 2014 and 2017 on disparagement grounds—weakened the brand’s commercial protection and exposed the franchise to reputational risk.
Trademark rulings and commercial impact
The USPTO cancellations did not force a name change directly, but they stripped the name of federal trademark protections, making it harder to defend against counterfeiting and limiting exclusive rights. In parallel, major sponsors began distancing themselves, media outlets tightened editorial guidelines around the term, and valuation estimates showed a pronounced brand erosion. Multiple owners and executives publicly acknowledged the long-term business risks of retaining the Redskins identity.
The Commanders rebrand (2020–2022)
In 2020, the team retired the Redskins branding temporarily, operating as Washington Football Team through the 2021 season. This interim phase allowed the organization to evaluate options, engage consultants, and test new visual identities. In February 2022, the franchise unveiled the Commanders name, logo, and updated brand system. The stated rationale centered on modern relevance, inclusivity, and long-term franchise value. Analysts noted that the rebranding was widely accepted by fans and partners, easing the transition compared to more contentious scenarios.
Rebrand components and business rationale
- Name and visual identity: Commanders mark and color palette meant to evoke strength and continuity while removing Native American references.
- Stakeholder alignment: Ownership framed the shift as necessary to protect commercial relationships in media, sponsorship, and stadium partnerships.
- Long-term value: Advisors projected improved brand equity in national and global markets, alongside reduced legal and reputational exposure.
Legal and trademark status today
Currently, the Washington Commanders hold active registrations for the Commanders marks, while the Redskins trademarks remain cancelled or abandoned. No credible pathway exists under league policy or federal trademark law for the franchise to resurrect the Redskins name without inviting fresh legal disputes and commercial penalties. Although individual fans or third parties may attempt to use the term, the franchise itself has no operational plans to revert, and doing so would undermine the strategic investments made since 2020.
Why a Redskins revival is unlikely
The convergence of legal, commercial, and cultural factors makes a return to Redskins extraordinarily improbable. The name carries unresolved reputational risk, ongoing negative sentiment in media and retail, and limited upside compared to the Commanders platform. League governance, sponsor expectations, and the broader social context all align against reversal. While nostalgia and polarizing sentiment persist in some corners, the franchise is structurally and strategically committed to the Commanders identity for the foreseeable future.
Outlook and key considerations
Going forward, the Washington Commanders will likely continue to invest in the new brand architecture, fan engagement, and partnerships that align with contemporary expectations. Any discussion of reverting to Redskins must contend with measurable downsides: legal exposure, sponsor attrition, talent recruitment impacts, and fan alienation. For stakeholders evaluating the team’s identity, the durable takeaway is that brand decisions now prioritize risk management, market access, and long-term equity over short-term nostalgia.