FedEx has canceled its naming rights deal with the Washington Commanders two years before the deal expired. Not only does that mean the Commanders miss out on $15 million of expected revenue, but it comes a day after the Commanders announced a $75-million stadium renovation plan. The move caught the team by surprise, according to sources who spoke with ESPN. However, these sources noted that the team had begun the process of finding a new sponsor in the past months.
Furthermore, the new ownership group of the Commanders has also been considering a brand-new stadium for the team. While they can extend their agreement with Prince George's County past 2027, the team is also considering opening a new stadium in 2030. Sites in Virginia, DC, and Maryland are all being considered. "We have already started the process of identifying our next stadium naming rights partner - a partner who will play a crucial role in ushering in the next era of not only Commanders football, but also a robust slate of top live events and concerts," a statement from the team read.
Washington Commanders Sale Could Trigger Another Name Change
However, is the stadium name the only thing going to change? The Commanders could not be the Commanders for much longer. “I would not be surprised at all if we see a name change and a complete rebranding,” ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. said on The Rich Eisen Show. While it would be the team's fourth name since 2019, a complete rebrand to really mark the start of a new era for the team. This may already be more than a rumor, as sharp-eyed social media users noted that an alumni gifting included swag that appeared to omit the Commanders moniker. Online, fans appeared split over the possibility of a new name. While some embraced the idea of removing the overly-generic "Commanders" name, others were more focused on achieving on-field results instead.
If the team were to change their name, it would need to be something bold and memorable. For example, George Washington University recently announced they would be changing their athletic nickname from the Colonials to the Revolutionaries. While thematically appropriate, it was chosen in place of the much cooler "Blue Fog". Personally, the team should forgo the tradition of choosing something fierce or militaristic and instead choose something that embodies the city, like Harris' other teams. If they wanted to go really out there with the name, how about the Washington/DC Half-Smokes? What do you think? Should Washington change their name? And if so, what should they change it to? Let us know in the comments.
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