The Washington Bravehearts could be the newest team in the NFC East.
It wouldn’t be a second franchise in the nation’s capital, but instead a controversial name change that could bring the new Bravehearts into existence.
The Washington Redskins have been targeted by Native American groups who say the name, and the portrayal of a dark-skinned American Indian, are offensive.
But the team and owner Daniel Snyder have been reluctant to cast aside the Washington Redskins name that has stood for decades.
Until now, it might seem. TMZ has obtained documents that may show Snyder could be preparing to make a change to the Washington Bravehearts. It turns out that Snyder’s neighbor, Aris Mardirossian, registered the name Washington Bravehearts earlier this month, which according to his trademark application would be used for “entertainment in the nature of football games.”
Mardirossian also created a company called Washington Brave Hearts LLC, though the founding documents offered no further details on what the company would do.
The sports blog The Big Lead seemed to think that Daniel Snyder may be using the name as a way to test the waters on a new name, but still distance himself from it should fans turn against it.
Officially, the Washington Redskins are disavowing any link to the new name .
“I just want to set the record straight for everyone listening, just to let you know that there is absolutely no connection between the Washington Bravehearts and the person that registered that trademark, and the Washington Redskins ,” team spokesman Tony Wyllie said. “I’m letting you know right now there’s no connection at all whatsoever between the organization and the registration of that trademark.
“In fact, the person that’s reported in that story, the alleged neighbor of Daniel Snyder, Dan doesn’t even know the man,” Wyllie added. “So I just want to let you know, Dan (doesn’t) know the man, so please, people, stop panicking, there’s no connection.”
But being such a touchy subject, the team would naturally deny any like to the Washington Bravehearts name until it was ready to make a hard announcement.