An Alexandria, Virginia man may be holding up the Washington Redskins' attempt to change their name to something more racially sensitive.
The Washington Post, citing sources close to the NFL team, reported Monday’s announcement of a name change did not include a new mascot because trademark issues had derailed the process.
Philip Martin McCaulay, 61, a government risk-management expert, has filed trademark claims for 44 potential Washington team names.
In a 2015 interview, McCaulay, a longtime actuary at the U.S. Department of Energy, told the D.C. Fox News affiliate he could "really see into the future on this issue.”
- He predicted the Redskins would change their name to the Warriors or the Americans within 10 years.
- The Washington Warriors is currently said to be the team’s top choice.
Both names, the Warrior and the Americans, are on McCaulay’s reported list of trademark claims along with: the Red Wolves, the Tribe, the Redtails, the Monuments, the Veterans, the Freedom Fighters, the War Hogs, the Red-Tailed Hawks and the Potomacs.
CBS Sports writer Will Brinson on Monday praised McCaulay’s ingenuity, saying he had "trademarked every single possible new Redskins nickname."
The Redskins are no more pic.twitter.com/auys0kj52q
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) July 13, 2020
McCaulay said to the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Saturday that he started collecting trademark claims on the team names in 2014 as a “hobby.”
- He did not immediately respond to We'll Do It Live for a request for comment.
What they did say: “In light of recent events around our country and feedback from our community, the Washington Redskins are announcing the team will undergo a thorough review of the team’s name,” the Redskins announced on Monday. “This review formalizes the initial discussions the team has been having with the league in recent weeks.” Owner Dan
Team owner Dan Snyder added: “This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise but also input from the alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community it is proud to represent on and off the field.”
