Cleveland Indians name and logo controversy

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The club name and logo previously used by Major League Baseball's Cleveland Guardians were the subject of significant controversy. The Guardians, an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, were known as the Cleveland Indians from 1915 to 2021, and their branding used Native American imagery and caricatures through much of this time period.

Although the controversial logo Chief Wahoo was officially removed in 2018, the Indian-themed name continued to be a part of the Native American mascot controversy which has led over 115 professional organizations representing civil rights, educational, athletic, and scientific experts to publish resolutions or policies that state that any use of Native American names and/or symbols by non-native sports teams is a harmful form of ethnic stereotyping that promote misunderstanding and prejudice which contributes to other problems faced by Native Americans.^[1]

Protest of both the logo and name started in the 1970s, but moved quickly toward the retirement of Chief Wahoo when the 2016 World Series drew international attention to the team. Local groups said they would continue to advocate for a change of the team name, and object to the sale of merchandise with the Chief Wahoo image.^[2]

Through the decades of protest, team representatives defended both the name and logo as part of their tradition, with no intention to disparage Native Americans.

The Cleveland Indians officially announced on July 3, 2020, that the club would review its name in the wake of nationwide protests against the murder of George Floyd.^[3] On December 14, 2020, team owner Paul Dolan announced that the renaming process would begin. The team continued to play as the Indians for the 2021 season while a new name was selected and other activities necessary for rebranding were implemented.^[4] During the 2021 season face paint and headdresses were banned from Progressive Field.^[5]

On July 23, 2021, the team announced that beginning in the 2022 season, their new name would be the Cleveland Guardians.^[6][7] The name change was made official on November 19, 2021.^[8]