The re-brand on Feb. 2, 2022 from the temporary Washington Football Team – a moniker the franchise played under for two seasons – to Commanders left several longtime fans feeling underwhelmed at best.
Some early reporting on the feelings of the new Josh Harris-led ownership group indicates a re-brand is not among their top priorities – a new stadium appears to be at the top – but, Kevin Sheehan makes the point that anybody saying any decision one way or the other hasn't come close to being made just yet. And he argued that the old name isn't really an option even if it would be a popular call for some fans.
"If they come to that decision that they are gonna stick with the status quo, I do think it would serve them to explain why and how they came to that decision," Sheehan said. "You do have a majority of fans, both past and present, that don't want this current name and are in favor of a re-brand and in favor of a conversation of a re-brand."
In response to a listeners email, which said, I know you hate the old name, but the old name isn't coming back, Sheehan had this to say: "Yes, it is true, I'm not a fan of the re-brand, the name, the uniforms the whole thing. Thank god I got them at least to change the crest with the accurate dates, you're welcome. Yes, I'm not a fan of what was done. Hate it might be a little strong... but I know the old name's not coming back.
"I'm not even advocating for the old name to come back. I've said that before, even though I think they could justify it and I don't think justifying it was ever part of the problem in the past. The issue was that justifying it in the past never mattered. You're gonna stir up the same hornet's nest that existed before. And I would totally understand if the new ownership group didn't have the stomach for it, you know, for stirring up that hornet's nest after paying nearly $6 billion for the franchise.
"So I'm actually OK with the decision to not pursue the old name, I get it. Trust me, it would be ballsy as hell if they did. And I'd stand up and applaud the courage to take on what would be coming. But it's not gonna happen, I recognize that completely."
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