Magic Johnson Inspiring Commanders' New Name?
The Washington Commanders have new ownership with Josh Harris officially at the helm of a large group of partners that paid $6.05 billion to purchase the franchise from the embattled Dan Snyder.
Snyder's legacy, which spanned 24 years, was headlined by controversy, scandal and an identity crisis that's still ongoing.
Magic Johnson, one of the main partners in Harris' ownership group, went on the Today Show last week to discuss the sale and mentioned the idea of changing the name of the team.
“I think everything’s on the table, especially after this year,” Johnson said. “We’ll see what we are with the name, but I can’t say that right now.”
BetOnline has released odds for the new Commanders name, and the Magic or Magicians is listed with the fourth-best odds at +900.
The three teams with higher odds are the Spartans (+600), the Football Team/Club (+700) and Red Hogs (+800).
The Magic would be an ironic name change, but it does go hand in hand with the Washington Wizards, D.C.'s NBA team. That being said, a primary rival of the Wizards is also named the Orlando Magic.
While there are no rules about team name repeats in sports ... Kings, Cardinals, Rangers among them, Magic doesn't fit the identity of what the franchise has been.
That could be what the franchise is going for, but it likely won't be universally adored or accepted by a fanbase that's bled burgundy and gold for so long.
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