Some will say it was a forgone conclusion when the Washington Commanders announced its fan contest for the team’s new mascot earlier this year. When the candidates narrowed down to a hog and a dog, it was clear the only choice possible.
On Sunday, the Commanders will reveal its new mascot to complete its rebranding from the Washington Redskins and Washington Football Team. The revealing will occur during Washington’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
There is always a chance for an upset in sports. Yet, the Commanders have dropped hints on the obvious choice.
A hog correlates to the team’s history going back to the 1980s. Then the team came up with “Hogs” as a nickname for its legendary offensive line. That name stuck with the team as it won three Super Bowls between 1982-1991 under head coach Joe Gibbs.
The Commanders will also honor the Hogs and Gibbs during the game, as another step that makes the mascot choice obvious.
Retailers are already selling merchandise for the Commanders’ mascot, Tuddy.
While the team dropped the “Redskins” name in the summer of 2020 after pressure from Native Americans and group sponsors, the Commanders wanted to continue some of the traditions that linked the franchise’s history.
The rebrand has included keeping the team’s burgundy and gold colors, bringing back the marching band, revising the team’s fight song, and presumably selecting the hogs as the mascot, moving forward.
However, the Commanders and team owner Dan Snyder may face a lawsuit if and when the team officially reveals the hog as the mascot.
A group of former Washington players formed the O-Line Entertainment LLC. Joe Jacoby, Mark May, John Riggins, Fred Dean, and Doc Walker filed a federal trademark for the names HOGS and Original Hogs earlier this year. They expect to be granted the trademark in early 2023.
The group claims the Commanders are trying to benefit from the trademark and goodwill of the Hogs in a statement released Monday.
The group has tried to reach a licensing agreement with the Commanders in recent months to no avail. Without a compensation agreement, the group could file a lawsuit over the mascot revealing. However, the team says it will not impede the players’ trademark attempt and will still honor the team.
