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| photo: USA Today.com |
Yes, Dan Snyder has already stated there is no way he is
changing the Washington pro football team’s last name. I am not sure if Snyder
has a manager or a marketing representative in his camp, but now is the time
for Snyder to start thinking of the people and the future.
If he does not want to change the name based on pressure
from Native Americans, the media, news groups, or Congress, Snyder can take a different approach.
Please
understand this post is not meant to offend any Native American. It is simply
one idea to state why Snyder should and could change Washington’s last name.
Right now, Snyder is not listening to reasoning so maybe he will listen to
the
benefit of a cash register ringing in millions?
Snyder could think of this as a money marketing plan to
redefine pro football in Washington. If Snyder changes the last name he could
have a rebranding contest enlisting fans from all over to send in logos and
name ideas for the team. At the end of the contest Snyder could grant a prize
to the winner. A winning idea could be in the form of season tickets for one
year with a chance for the fan(s) to purchase their own future season tickets.
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| photo: Fanatics.com |
Secondly, Snyder could have a yard sale on all stores selling
current Washington pro team jerseys. These current jerseys would sell as some
of the hottest jerseys on the market. Everyone would want to get the last RG3,
Orakpo, or London Fletcher retirement jersey. Snyder could market the jerseys
as classic collector's items.
Next, Washington could alert the NFL that this is the last year of
the offensive last name. With the curtain call on the name change, Snyder may get more primetime games where the
current jerseys will be talked about all year long. While the media is talking about the name and jersey change, Washington would benefit the free marketing of
the old and new jerseys to come. Again, this marketing would be free by word of mouth from
sports analysts covering their games while peaking fans and media curiosity from
all the national spotlight game talk.
One thing about the current generation of kids…..most of
them do not know about history. Every kid is looking for the newest and latest
item. Whether it is a digital music player, the newest mobile phone or tablet, or
wearing their favorite player’s jersey, what better way to promote than to
brand a new name and a new jersey. Most of the older fan base may not like it,
but the younger fan base spends millions on jerseys and will be “all in” when
it comes to the idea of a new name and Washington pro team jerseys.
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| photo: Complex.com |
Currently, Nike holds the contract for NFL clothing so this
would be a win-win for Washington to contract with Nike for a new look. Look
what happened to the University of Oregon Ducks when they changed their look? The
look was changed many times, but truly upgraded in 2006 with QB Dennis Dixon (far right) at
the helm, according to Complex.com. The Ducks college fan base loved it. True, this is not college, but
the results can be the same for a pro team.
According to the NY Times.com, Nike upgraded the Denver
Broncos look in the 1997 with John Elway and Terrell Davis. Also, let’s not forget
the Seattle Seahawks? Yeah, clothes cannot help a team win, but the Seahawks
changed their destiny forever with the wild style upgrade by Nike in 2012. Seattle's look, the organization and the 12th man changed everything for the Seahawks.
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| photo: NFL Pro Shop.com |
It is time for Dan Snyder to wake up and understand this
will be a good thing all around for the Native Americans, himself and the city
of Washington, DC. Again, not everyone will like the idea, but Snyder or
someone in Snyder’s camp must wake up and see what is taking place in life.
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