Cleveland’s MLB team removes ‘Indians’ from its name

105 years later, the Cleveland Indians are changing their name.

Citing three people familiar with the decision, The New York Times Reported Sunday night the band is moving away from a name that feels racist. Indians have been discussing the name change internally for months.

The Times said the team could make an official announcement this week. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.

The Cleveland move from the Indians The NFL’s Washington football team followed a similar decision earlier this year, formerly known as the Red Skins.

Native American groups and others have protested the use of Cleveland by Indians as its name, using the American League Charter franchise, founded in 1901. Last year, the band removed the controversial Chief Wooho logo from its hats and jerseys. .

The Indians have dealt with the backlash from fans who were upset over the removal of Chief Woohoo and the club’s decision to change its name is sure to be heard further.

In July, just hours after Washington’s plans were announced under pressure from several sponsors, including FedEx, which owns the rights to the football team stadium, Cleveland owner Paul Dolan released a statement saying the team was “reviewing the best way forward for our team name.”

In the months since then, the team has consulted with players, front office members, coaching staff, community leaders, shareholders and Native American groups.

A few days after Dolan’s announcement, Indians manager Terry Francona said it was “time to move on” with the name change.

“I’m thinking about it and I’m thinking about it,” said Francona, who has been with the club since 2013. “I know in the past, when asked me if it’s our name or Chief Woohoo, I usually think the answer is and I know we never tried to be disrespectful.

“And I still think so. But I do not think this is a good answer today. I think it’s time to move forward. It’s a very difficult thing. It’s also delicate.”

– With files from the Associated Press.