Questions, few answers for new Washington name

Washington’s NFL team announced Monday it will soon part ways with its name and logo after 87 years, in the wake of continued pressure from sponsors, fans and activists. So, what’s next?

The team has offered few clues about potential replacement names and logos. Coach Ron Rivera previously told The Washington Post he would love to have the matter settled by the start of training camp at the end of the month.

While we wait, here’s a look at possibilities that have been bandied about – and some of the key considerations as the team nears a decision.

What are the top contenders?

There has been no shortage of fan suggestions, obviously – many of them made in jest. (The Washington Lobbyists, Washington Beltway Drivers, etc.) But in terms of serious contenders, it appears a few have floated to the top.

Much of the most recent discussion among fans and prognosticators has revolved around nicknames that begin with “Red,” such as “Red Wolves” or “Red Tails.” This would allow the team to continue to use its “HTTR” slogan for marketing purposes; the acronym has previously been short for “Hail To The Redskins.” The “Red Tails” name would also be something of an homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, which would be in line with Rivera’s stated desire to honor members of the military with the new name.

Washington owner Daniel Snyder has also previously shown a preference for “Warriors.” He purchased an expansion franchise in the Arena Football League that was supposed to begin play in 2003 but never did. He had planned to call that team the Washington Warriors.

What do players and alumni think?

Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, former linebacker Will Compton and former cornerback Fred Smoot are among those who support “Red Wolves.” Smoot, who frequently contributes to radio shows in the D.C. area, has been particularly vocal.

“It is an endangered species. It allows us to keep the ‘HTTR,’ ” Smoot told NBC Sports Washington late last week. “It allows us to keep the burgundy and gold. It allows us to have some crazy uniforms. Like I said before, I can see 80,000 people in FedExField howling like wolves after Chase Young gets a sack to win a game.”

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins, meanwhile, expressed a preference for “Red Tails” early in the process. And explayer Doc Walker, who co-hosts a radio show for The Team 980, has suggested “Warriors” and the team revert to its 1960s logo of an arrow.

Which name do oddsmakers favor?

As of Tuesday, it was “Red Tails.” Online sports book Bovada LV listed “Red Tails” or “Red Clouds” at 2-1 odds, followed by “Warriors,” then “Hogs,” or any variety thereof. A second sports book, BetOnline.ag, has “Red Tails” at 3-1 odds, just ahead of “Generals” and “Warriors,” each at 4-1. Interestingly, “Red Wolves” is not listed by Bovada

LV, while garnering 6-1 odds at BetOnline.ag. But Danny Sheridan has Red Wolves a 2-1 favorite.

What’s the concern with Warriors?

Given Snyder’s previous dabbling with the name, “Warriors” might seem like an easy solution, as Walker put it. But there’s concern that the name would maintain the link between the team and Native American imagery – especially if, for example, the new logo was the arrow with feathers that Washington previously used as branding in the 1960s.

“If that’s their idea, have they learned nothing?” said Amanda Blackhorse, who previously fought to cancel the Washington team’s federal trademark registrations.

ESPN reported last week that Washington is planning to have no Native American imagery in connection with its new name. But even if that is the case, critics say, the “Warriors” nickname has historic ties to Native American tropes that could keep that connection alive.