The Washington Redskins name change is looking more likely after the U.S. Patent Office canceled the trademark for the game.
The office ruled 2-1 that the nickname is “disparaging of Native Americans.”
Redskins owner Dan Snyder has refused to change the team’s name, citing tradition, but the ruling seems to make it more likely that a change could happen.
The decision means that the team can continue to use the Redskins name, but it would lose a significant portion of its ability to protect the financial interests connected to its use. If others printed the name on sweatshirts, apparel, or other team material, it becomes more difficult to go after groups who use it without permission, according to the Associated Press.
A number of ideas came out of the community contest from 99designs that asked designers to come up with a new logo that would help rebrand the Redskins. The logo would include a new name.
Check out some of the name change ideas floating around below.
Washington Renegades
(99 designs/Will)
Washington Football Club
Washington Pigskins
Washington Redtails
(99designs/mbingcrosby)
Washington Bravehearts
Washington Senators
Washington Warriors
Washington Griffins
(99 designs/deDORARPOL)
Washington D.C. Rocs
Washington Metros
Washington Leopards
Washington Skins
The latter four came from Lexicon Branding, the firm that came up with names such as Febreze, BlackBerry, and FiOS.
The latter, the Skins, has been explored by many because it involves the simple change of dropping the world red.
“Rename the team the ‘Skins.’ Plain old ‘Skins.’ It is a bit of a nonsense word for a mascot, but then so is the name of the Cleveland Browns (named for first head coach Paul Brown), or the New York Knicks (technically short for Knickerbockers, but just see how many fans at Madison Square Garden can tell you what a knickerbocker is),” said the Washington Post.
“Keep the burgundy and gold color scheme. Replace the face of an Indian chief on the helmet and logo with a picture of a football. Lose the Native American imagery altogether.”
