The Cleveland Indians are changing their name after 105 years.
Citing three people familiar with the decision, The New York Times reported Sunday night that the team is moving away from a name considered racist for decades. The Indians have been internally discussing a potential name change for months.
A team spokesman told The Associated Press the franchise has no immediate comment on the report.
The Times said the team could make a formal announcement later this week. It鈥檚 not known when the name change will take effect or if the team has settled on a new moniker.
Cleveland鈥檚 move away from Indians follows a similar decision earlier this year by the NFL鈥檚 Washington Football Team, which was previously known as the Redskins.
For years, Native American groups and others have protested against Cleveland鈥檚 use of Indians as its name as well as other imagery used by the American League charter franchise founded in 1901. Last year, the team removed the contentious Chief Wahoo logo from its caps and jerseys, but the smiling, cartoonish mascot has remained popular and merchandise is still sold bearing its image.
The Indians have dealt with a backlash from fans upset over Chief Wahoo鈥檚 removal and the club is certain to hear more with the decision to change its name.
鈥淥h no! What is going on?鈥� President Donald Trump tweeted. 鈥淭his is not good news, even for 鈥滻ndians鈥�. Cancel culture at work!鈥�
In July, just hours after Washington鈥檚 plans became known after being pressured by several sponsors, including FedEx which holds naming rights to the football鈥檚 team鈥檚 stadium, Cleveland owner Paul Dolan released a statement saying the team would review 鈥渢he best path forward with our team name.鈥�
In the months since, the team has consulted players, front office members, coaching staff, community leaders, share holders and Native American groups.
A few days after Dolan鈥檚 statement, Indians manager Terry Francona said it was time to 鈥渕ove forward鈥� with the name change.
鈥淚鈥檝e been thinking about it and been thinking about it before we put out that statement,鈥� said Francona, who has been with the club since 2013. 鈥淚 know in the past, when I鈥檝e been asked about, whether it鈥檚 our name or the Chief Wahoo, I think I would usually answer and say I know that we鈥檙e never trying to be disrespectful.
鈥淎nd I still feel that way. But I don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 a good enough answer today. I think it鈥檚 time to move forward. It鈥檚 a very difficult subject. It鈥檚 also delicate.鈥�
Tom Withers, The Associated Press
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