Washington DC’s NFL team announced it will retire the Redskins name, responding to years of criticism that the moniker is offensive to Native Americans. About half of adults in the United States support the decision.
According to a new poll of more than 6,000 people, roughly every other American strongly (36%) or somewhat (17%) supports the team’s decision change its name.
Roughly a third of Americans somewhat (11%) or strongly (20%) oppose the move; 16 percent don’t know.
The team has faced questions regarding its name for decades now, but pressure rose significantly in recent weeks as the country wrestles with racial strife. Corporate partners added to the growing chorus against the team’s iconography and FedEx, one of the team's major corporate sponsors and current naming-rights holder to its stadium, called on the team to change its name.
Support for the move is divided along political lines. Close to three-quarters (73%) of Democrats support the name change, while a quarter (25%) of Republicans do.
Support among age groups is largely consistent, however Americans over 55 are less likely (46%) to support the decision. Those between the ages of 18 and 24 are more likely (59%).
The Washington NFL team hasn’t yet decided on a new name.
As many American brands are forced to confront the connotations and origins of their names and icons, A separate recent study by YouGov showed roughly half of Americans support replacing icons that reinforce racial stereotypes.
Methodology: Total sample size as of publishing was 6,257 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between July 13 and 14, 2020 The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).
Image: Getty
