This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53276070

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Redskins sponsor, FedEx, urges team to rebrand Washington Redskins agree review of controversial team name
(about 8 hours later)
The headline sponsor of the Washington Redskins, Fedex, has called on the American football team to change its controversial name. The Washington Redskins American football team will review its name after demands from major sponsors.
The Washington DC-based team has faced repeated calls to change its name, which is considered offensive to Native Americans. Its headline sponsor, Fedex, joined a fresh wave of calls to scrap a team moniker long-criticised as racist.
After pressure from investors, FedEx on Thursday added its voice to the calls. The Washington DC-based team has faced years of pressure over a name seen as offensive to Native Americans. The latest calls come amid a fresh focus on racism sparked by worldwide protests.
"We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name," it said in a statement. FedEx made the request at the behest of its own investors.
Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, said: "This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League (NFL) and the local community."
At the turn of the millennium, FedEx paid $205m (£165m) for the naming rights to the Redskins' 82,000-seat stadium in Maryland. The deal expires in 2025.At the turn of the millennium, FedEx paid $205m (£165m) for the naming rights to the Redskins' 82,000-seat stadium in Maryland. The deal expires in 2025.
But that is not the delivery giant's only tie to the team. The boss and founder of FedEx, Frederick Smith also owns a minority stake in the Redskins.But that is not the delivery giant's only tie to the team. The boss and founder of FedEx, Frederick Smith also owns a minority stake in the Redskins.
The team has come under sustained pressure to change its name for decades. The team has been under pressure to change its name for decades.
Six years ago FedEx shareholders voted to allow the Redskins to keep its name after the shipping giant received a complaint from the Wisconsin-based Oneida Indian tribe. Six years ago, FedEx shareholders voted to allow the Redskins to keep its name after the shipping giant received a complaint from the Wisconsin-based Oneida Indian tribe.
But as firms assess their stance on issues around race, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, FedEx has now called for the team to rebrand. But as firms assess their stance on issues around race, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests, FedEx has now called for the team to rebrand.
Last week, 87 investment firms and shareholders wrote to FedEx, along with fellow Redskins' sponsors Nike and PepsiCo, calling on the firms to sever ties with the Redskins, according to AdWeek. Last week, 87 investment firms and shareholders wrote to FedEx, along with fellow Redskins' sponsors Nike and PepsiCo, calling on the firms to sever ties with the Redskins, according to trade publication AdWeek.
"'Redskins' remains a de-humanising word characterizing people by skincolour and a racial slur with hateful connotations," the letter written to PepsiCo said. "'Redskins' remains a dehumanising word, characterizing people by skin colour and a racial slur with hateful connotations," the letter written to PepsiCo said.
As of Thursday, Nike's website did not display any Redskins merchandise. The Washington-based team was the only one of the 32 NFL teams no longer listed in the site's index. Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "We have been in conversations with the NFL and Washington management for a few weeks about this issue," a PepsiCo spokesperson said.
In the past, the team's owner Dan Snyder has remained steadfast on keeping the name, calling it a "badge of honour". "We believe it is time for a change. We are pleased to see the steps the team announced today, and we look forward to continued partnership."
The team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As of Thursday, Nike's website did not display any Redskins merchandise. The Washington-based team was the only one of the 32 NFL teams no longer listed in the site's index.
Nike did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment.
In the past, the team's owner Mr Snyder has remained steadfast on keeping the name, calling it a "badge of honour".