Odds to Be the Next Team to Change Their Name – Indians Favored Over Chiefs, Seminoles and Others

• The Cleveland Indians are the -150 odds-on chalk to be the next sports team that will opt for a new nickname
• Could the next team be the Chicago Blackhawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Braves, or perhaps the Florida State Seminoles?
• Analysis of the odds and assessment of potential outcomes are laid out below

The Washington NFL franchise have made their choice. Now it would appear that the Cleveland Indians are on the clock.

With confirmation from Dan Snyder’s team that they will indeed find a new nickname, the question posed in a prop wager is which team be next to follow Washington’s lead?

The owners of Cleveland’s MLB team already announced last week a review of the team nickname. That’s the likely reason the odds are favoring Cleveland in this prop.

Odds on Team to Officially Change Their Name Next

Odds taken July 15th

The Atlanta Braves, Florida State Seminoles and Chicago Blackhawks all made public statements indicating no plans were in the works to change their team nicknames. The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs haven’t weighed in on the debate.

Blackhawks Just Say No

Shortly after both Washington’s NFL team and Cleveland’s MLB team announced plans to assess the future of their team nicknames, the Blackhawks issued a statement indicating that they wouldn’t be following suit.

“The Chicago Blackhawks name and logo symbolizes an important and historic person, Black Hawk of Illinois’ Sac & Fox Nation, whose leadership and life has inspired generations of Native Americans, veterans and the public,” the NHL team said in the statement.

Ok @NHLBlackhawks, you’re up next.

Call yourself the Hawks, get a new, non-racist logo, call it a day. Easy peasy. pic.twitter.com/k7bLxuzLgL

— Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (@TheRaDR) July 13, 2020

“We recognize there is a fine line between respect and disrespect, and we commend other teams for their willingness to engage in that conversation. Moving forward, we are committed to raising the bar even higher to expand awareness of Black Hawk and the important contributions of all Native American people. ”

Chiefs Staying Mum

The Super Bowl champions haven’t weighed in on the name change controversy yet. Stories about the Chiefs name circulated during the lead up to the Super Bowl earlier this year. They suggested that the name was derived from the nickname of Harold Roe Bartle.

So the #Superbowl this year is the @49ers and the Kansas City @Chiefs.

As a former Sports Editor, and as a Native American journalist, I have a few things to say about this #AppropriationBowl.

First, the Chiefs are not honoring Native people. I'll explain in a #Thread. pic.twitter.com/1wtfsBymfE

— Vincent Schilling (@VinceSchilling) January 20, 2020

He was the city’s mayor in 1962 during the franchise’s relocation from Dallas to Kansas City. His nickname was Chief.

Still, Chiefs fans don Native headgear at games and mock First Nations culture with the tomahawk chop. And the Chiefs’ home is named Arrowhead Stadium.

Seminoles Moment

Florida State points out they’ve been given explicit tribal permission for usage of the nickname to honor and promote Seminole heritage.

#FSU's president. Among the first steps he's announcing on race-related issues: "Creation of an educational outreach program about FSU’s history and relationship with the Seminole Tribe of Florida." https://t.co/vhk0D2BoyA

— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) July 6, 2020

Tribal officials remain in consultation with the school, ensuring that their culture is represented properly and respectfully on the team’s uniform. As well, tribal officials consult regarding the clothing worn by team mascot by Osceola. That’s the student who plants the flaming spear at midfield in pre-game ceremonies.

Braves New World

The Braves sent letters to season ticket holders,  informing fans that there was no plan to change the team’s nickname. However, the team indicated that it was uncomfortable with fans doing the tomahawk chop at games.

As someone with Native blood, I've tried pretty hard not to have a blanket stance on Native team nicknames and instead look case by case.

Zero issue with the Atlanta Braves nickname itself. Lots of issues with their use of this chant. I don't care how far back it goes. https://t.co/teEoHffZVR

— Bruce Ciskie (@BruceCiskie) October 4, 2019

“We are continuing to listen to the Native American community, as well as our fans, players, and alumni to ensure we are making an informed decision on this part of our fan experience,” the team said in a statement.

Cleveland Talks

If any team is going to change its nickname sooner rather than later, Cleveland is that club.

Kudos to manager Terry Francona for saying it's time for Cleveland to change their nickname:“I know in the past, when I’ve been asked about, whether it’s our name or the Chief Wahoo,I think I would usually answer and say I know that we’re never trying to be disrespectful. (more)

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 5, 2020

Team manager Terry Francona and star shortstop Francisco Lindor are both supporting a name change.

Pick: Cleveland Indians (-150).