Source: Icon Sports Wire / Getty
CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) –
After years of debate, the Cleveland Indians announced Monday that the team’s mascot, Chief Wahoo, will no longer be on the team’s uniforms starting in the 2019 season.
Indians fans have been split over the years about whether the logo is racially-insensitive and should be removed with many groups saying the Indians should find another logo to represent the team.
Can I still buy Chief Wahoo gear?
Fans will still be able to buy Indians gear with the Chief even as he disappears from the Indians game day uniforms.
To maintain their copyright, Indians gear featuring Chief Wahoo will remain available at Northeast Ohio retailers.
Why is the change taking place in 2019 and not now?
Major League Baseball agreed with the Indians that there is just not enough lead time, before the 2018 season to remove the logo from around the ballpark, and with the season starting in April there is not enough time to change the uniforms and hats.
What logo will the Indians use to replace Chief Wahoo?
The Block C primarily in red, but also in blue and white, has been the Indians primary logo since 2014 and will now take an even more prominent role. Also, script Indians will remain as a secondary logo.
Will the team’s name change?
Many people are asking if the Indians will now consider a name change. The answer is no and there are no plans to even begin that discussion.
Changing the team name was not a part of the negotiation with the MLB.
Was this part of a package deal to get the All-Star game?
Some fans are convinced that the Indians were granted the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star game as part of this agreement.
The Indians insist that is not true and say that the All-Star game discussions were in the pipeline way before the talks to eliminate Chief Wahoo even began.
Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson agrees with the Indians’ decision:
“The decision by the Cleveland Indians to retire Chief Wahoo from team uniforms is wonderful news for the city. I applaud the team’s decision to show the city, nation and world that Cleveland is an inclusive place that values all diversity – in this case showing greater honor to our nation’s first people by retiring the Wahoo mascot from uniforms.”
READ MORE: Cleveland19.com
Article Courtesy of WOIO Cleveland 19 News
First Picture Courtesy of LG Patterson and Getty Images
Second Picture Courtesy of Icon Sports Wire and Getty Images
