Which Sports Team Will Change Their Name Next?

So, who’s next? The Washington football team dropped “Redskins” as their name just days ago. While we wait to find out their new nickname, the sports world waits to see which franchise will be the next to follow these steps.

It’s difficult to change a brand name. There are very few nicknames left to trademark, and it takes a lot of work to start an entirely new culture.

Still, when the social mob wants to get you, they are likely to succeed. It’s what happened to the Redskins after several decades of being accused of using a racial slur as the team’s name.

Odds To Be The Next Team To Change Their Name

Team	Odds
Cleveland Indians	-300
Kansas City Chiefs	+500
Atlanta Braves	+700
Florida State Seminoles	+900
Chicago Blackhawks	+1200

There are four professional teams and one college with Native American nicknames. But are any of those offensive enough to see a change soon? 

Let’s break it down.

Cleveland Indians -300

The Cleveland Indians are the favorites because they have engaged in talks about a possible change.

Back in 2018, the franchise removed its controversial Chief Wahoo logo from the jerseys and caps. It’s a reliable sign that the owner and investors know there is a problem.

Cleveland’s players met with the owner to have a chat about the name. There is no real assumption that the talk will lead to anything concrete, but at least the conversation is happening.

“These things don’t happen everywhere,” Indians’ coach Terry Francona said. “It’s not going to mean that everybody is going to exactly agree or be on the same page. That’s the way our world is. But when everybody listens with respect and talks with respect, I think we have a chance of moving forward with respect.

It seems like the wheels are in motion.

Kansas City Chiefs +550

I don’t think this one has a lot of value even at +550. Their nickname is not considered offensive to Native Americans. It’s a name with a sign of respect.

But also, the Kansas City Chiefs just won the Super Bowl. They are trying to make history over the next decade with Patrick Mahomes leading the franchise.

Can you imagine them changing their name in the middle of one of the best winning streaks in franchise history? Neither can I.

Atlanta Braves +750

Once we reach the Braves, things get interesting when betting on MLB. The franchise said they are not considering a change anytime soon. But the team has been criticized a lot because of the tomahawk chop chant by their fans when they are looking to score runs.

However, Atlanta is a value bet. Eventually, they can get pressured to change the name, but there isn’t any indication that it will happen soon.  However, at +700, I think there is value here that taking a small shot on them as the next team to change their name.

Florida Seminoles +1000

Back in 2005, the Seminoles’ tribal council unanimously approved a resolution supporting FSU’s use of the name. They backed the University over the last few weeks again, after the news of the name change in Washington.

Unlike the other sports franchises, Florida State is well received by the Seminoles’ tribal. A change of name seems unlikely.

Chicago Blackhawks +1500

The Blackhawks changing their name is not a thing. It doesn’t matter the value the oddsmakers are giving us here. The name of the franchise has a more significant sentimental value than most people think.

Owner Frederic McLaughlin was a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Infantry Division during World War II. The division’s name was Blackhawk Division, which was identified after the Chief Blackhawk, a famous figure in Illinois.

It’s not coming off.