The National Football League team formerly known as the Washington Redskins will play the 2020 season as the Washington Football Team until a permanent new name can be chosen for the franchise, team officials announced Thursday.
Officials said the team will begin the process of retiring Redskins branding from real and digital team properties on Friday. The team hopes to complete the process of retiring its old name and logo by the time the Washington Football Team faces off against the Philadelphia Eagles for the team's home opener on Sept. 13.
"The decision to use 'Washington Football Team' for this season allows the franchise the ability to undertake an in-depth branding process to properly include player, alumni, fan, community, and sponsor input," team officials said Thursday in a news release.
"To date, we have been pleased to see so many people putting forward their vision of what the new name and design should be on their social media channels and we look forward to including their feedback as this process progresses."
Team officials announced plans July 13 to retire the Redskins name. They had launched a review of the team's name 10 days earlier.
In a statement released last week, officials said team owner Daniel Snyder and coach Ron Rivera “are working closely to develop a new name and design approach that will enhance the standing of our proud, tradition rich franchise and inspire our sponsors, fans and community for the next 100 years.”