After the killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, renewed attention was brought around the country to weeding out systemic racism in every shape it takes.
This included racism in its team names. For example, Washington, D.C.’s NFL team is currently nameless and is referred to as simply the Washington Football Team.
Then, major news broke last night that the MLB team that calls Cleveland home will also shed its name after the 2021 baseball season.
This has already led to a robust social media debate on what the new name for Cleveland’s MLB franchise – and many are turning to the WNBA for inspiration.
Big story. It’s time.
Cleveland Spiders? Cleveland Rockers? https://t.co/KL8h5lAWLX
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) December 14, 2020
Probably a lot of legal hoops (pun intended!) to jump through, but if the Indians are looking for a new name, would love to see them resurrect the WNBA’s Cleveland Rockers moniker. That’s such a perfect name for a team from The Forest City. pic.twitter.com/lMTqtGuHfX
— Geoff Magliocchetti (@GeoffJMags) December 14, 2020
Bring back the Cleveland Rockers; honor the WNBA and remind the world the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is in Ohio pic.twitter.com/Bzhz42VAO7
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) December 14, 2020
The Cleveland Rockers
— Will Bunch Sign Up For My Newsletter (@Will_Bunch) December 14, 2020
Do it, Dolans
Cleveland Rockers pic.twitter.com/6eol6nbSxN
— Eric Kay (@ekaycbs) December 14, 2020
The Cleveland baseball team should be called the Cleveland Rockers. Can you imagine the crowd singing “Cleveland Rocks” at the start of every game? I can. @Indians
— Tom Priddy (@tpriddy) December 14, 2020
Cleveland Rockers!
— K.C. Colby (@KCColbyCTV) December 14, 2020
The Rockers were previously under the umbrella of the Cavaliers, but after the 2003 season, the Cavs folded the team with attendance woes and financial issues contributing to its untimely demise.
