Since Josh Harris took over as the Washington Commanders majority owner last week, we’ve heard a lot about his fandom for the then-Redskins growing up in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Harris has named some of his favorite players and most memorable plays from his childhood. He talked about coming to RFK Stadium in the glory days and how it helped shape who he is today.
The same goes for two of Harris’ minority partners: Mitchell Rales and Mark Ein. Rales talked of going to games as a kid with his family and wished his parents could’ve been present the day he became part-owner of the franchise his entire family loved.
Ein has spoken of him and Harris — longtime friends — having matching Washington jackets as kids.
Since Harris took over, he has mentioned “Redskins” on multiple occasions. So has another minority owner, Magic Johnson. Washington changed its name in 2020 to the “Football Team” before a rebranding to the Commanders in 2022.
After practice Friday, reporters asked head coach Ron Rivera about people in the organization using the term “Redskins” more frequently.
Rivera handled the question well.
“Well, I know this, Mr. Harris and that ownership group talked extensively about bringing back the glory,” Rivera said. “And again, what Coach Gibbs did, the traditions, that alumni group of guys that are around. It’s hard to escape it. It really is. That’s just the truth of the matter. Just so everybody knows, we do that with the utmost respect for the native tribes and for the American Indian. Anytime that’s brought up, it is brought up with the utmost of respect.”
Since taking over, Harris and Johnson haven’t elaborated on another name change. Johnson only said, “everything is on the table,” as the new ownership group looks to turn things around and bring together a fractured fan base.
This has led to many in the fan base believing there will be another name change. Prominent reporter/writer Don Van Natta Jr. was the first to bring up the name change last week.
Josh Harris (like Magic Johnson) confirms what I was told by sources: They’ll consider a name change. They know fans overwhelmingly don’t like “Commanders.” And it would be a clean break from Dan Snyder.
There are more urgent priorities– and a name change can take 1 to 3 years. https://t.co/QiRUhHVbOf
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) July 22, 2023
What does this all mean? For now, it means nothing. However, it does feel increasingly like new ownership may undergo another name change sometime in the future. As much as fans want the “Redskins,” back, that just doesn’t seem feasible for multiple reasons.
Who knows, if the Commanders start winning, maybe some opinions will change. Regardless, Harris and his partners appear serious about listening to the fans — something unheard of over the last 24 years.
Josh Harris has been very open about being a massive Redskins fan growing up in D.C.
Over the past week, the Redskins name has been used more and more.
Ron Rivera was asked about that today.
He said, “It’s hard to escape it. It really is. That’s just the truth of the matter.” pic.twitter.com/nuquUtiC4O
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) July 28, 2023