Washington name search down to Football Team or Football Club?

There appears to be two front-runners in the name search for the Washington Football Team.

Owner Dan Snyder is “strongly” considering making with Washington Football Team the permanent name of his franchise, but Washington Football Club is also in the running, according to a report by TMZ.

Football Club or FC is more commonly used by soccer powers such as Manchester United, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea among others. Some within Washington’s organization like the soccer connection with FC, according to the report.

Team president Jason Wright downplayed the report early Wednesday morning, saying there are “no two secret finalist names” as the team will be transparent in the selection process.

Friends, love the passion, but a report from “Team sources” has you spun up like this? The months long, analytic, fan-engaging process we’ve communicated is still the approach. No two secret finalist names. No smoke and mirrors. When we share with you, we mean what we say. https://t.co/SwnURa7Fhw

— Jason Wright (@whoisjwright) December 23, 2020

Washington retired the Redskins name and logo in July following pressure from sponsors urging to move away from the name considered disparaging and racist to Native Americans. The team settled on Washington Football Team as a temporary placeholder while searching for a permanent name.

Washington has not officially tipped their hand in the process. However, in September Snyder said Washington Football Team could be permanent, if the name catches on and is embraced by fans.

Last month, Wright said Washington Football was “definitely in the running.” He added that Washington Football Club was also.

“It’s definitely in the running,” Wright told ESPN’s John Keim. “I don’t think anything is off the table. … With this one, people are excited about the idea of a club has an identity rooted solely in the area it represents. Maybe it’s Football Team or it’s Football Club. We need to get underneath the why, so no matter what direction we go, we can pull on the heartstrings of folks.”

Redwolves has been the most popular choice of Washington fans voicing their opinion on social media. Red Tails and Warriors have also been regularly mentioned. But the longer the team stays the Washington Football Team the chances increase of the name sticking permanently.

Nonetheless, the team is not expected to officially reveal their choice until after the 2021 season.