In light of the recent decision of Pepsi’s reversion to its old logo, I’ve decided to look at revised professional sports team names. Specifically, here’s my list of the top 10 worst sports team names past and present. Some of these names are just poorly thought out; yet, others are downright offensive.
While professional teams strive for excellence on the court, the ice, or the field, some have unintentionally found themselves burdened with the weight of peculiar or downright cringe-worthy names.
Top-10 Head-Scratching Sports Team Names
From confusing combinations to unintentional hilarity, the world of sports has seen its fair share of teams with names that leave fans scratching their heads. Let’s explore some of the most eyebrow-raising and, at times, downright worst sports team names ever conceived.
#10 – Washington Bullets
Technically, Baltimore took ownership of this team name before Washington did. The Baltimore Bullets existed for 10 seasons (1963-1973), before a brief time the Bullets had ‘Capital’ as its Prefix for one season (’73-’74). That’s likely the most plausible reason for the switch to the “Washington Bullets” in 1974.
None of these reasons are the soundest for the choice of this team’s name. Owner Abe Polin at the time has this idea that he wishes to name the new Washington team with an “edgier name.” However, that edgy name likely wouldn’t fly today with those favoring stricter gun laws.
#9 – Oakland Athletics
Now, this team name is simply awful. It all started with the Philadelphia baseball team entering the league in 1901 and choosing to take the Athletics moniker. In one way it makes a bit of sense. In the 1900s, some teams began as “gentlemen’s clubs” or called “athletic clubs.” That was fine 120 years ago, but not so much now. Teams could be way more progressive.
Whoever decides the team name, it’s got to go. When the team moves to Las Vegas, and that’s set to begin playing in 2028, I’m begging they change the name with the location change.
#8 – Cleveland Indians
I don’t think the problem with this team name needs much explanation. Simply put, this team isn’t culturally correct in the 21st century. Thankfully, they came up with a slightly better sub-par name, the Cleveland Guardians in 2021. Criticism of the old name primarily centered around rightful concerns about cultural insensitivity and the appropriation of Native American imagery.
Many argue that using Native American names and symbols as sports team mascots is disrespectful and reinforces stereotypes. The term “Indian” itself is both outdated and inaccurate when referring to Native American communities. Critics argue that such team names perpetuate harmful stereotypes, contribute to cultural appropriation, and fail to recognize the diverse identities and histories of Native American peoples. It’s good that these names are changed.
#7 – Phoenix Suns
This is one of the laziest, most uncreative team names ever. What makes this even sillier is they chose this name over much better-sounding names (at least I think) such as the Mustangs, Rattlers, and Scorpions. To me, this sounded like a desperate attempt to meet a deadline to come up with a name. It’s uncreative and boring.
#6 – Miami Heat
Similar to the Phoenix Sun, this name is just as lackluster. Using weather-related terms in a hot climate area for sports teams is lazy and trite. I likely don’t have to explain then how they picked the name. That said, I’ll take it over a former basketball team in Miami – the Miami Floridians.
#5 – New York Giants
The New York Giants is an odd name. What relationship do the “Giants” have to do with football? To me, this is just another example of a weak and unoriginal name, this time highlighting an NFL team.
Here’s a bit of context. New York Giants [1.0] started as a Major League Baseball (MLB) team in 1883, then copycatted the name for the football team that started in 1925. When the New York Giants baseball team moved to San Francisco in 1958, they kept the team name. To me, that’s confusing and odd.
#4 – Atlanta Braves
There are a few issues with this team name and I will try to be concise. The problem with this name began with the Boston Braves starting their National League MLB team in 1912. The team then chose to go with the name Boston Bees (an honorable mention poor name as well) from 1936-1940. The team then returned to the name the Boston Braves from 1941-1952. At the same time, Boston had an American League team. That was and continues to be the Red Sox.
The Boston Braves didn’t just turn into the Atlanta Braves. In between, the team made one more transfer and became the Milwaukee Braves from 1953-1965. When they relocated to Atlanta, the nickname remained and Atlanta’s “new” baseball team came to be known as the Atlanta Braves.
That’s the confusing history of the Braves moniker, and it has been Atlanta’s offensive brand since 1965.
The Issues of Using the Name Braves
Those who decided to use the name Braves (as well as Indians) with different teams and cities came from a different time. In those days, many people were ignorant about how offensive the usage was. The various iterations of the logos different teams and seasons used were outright discriminatory but seldom noticed.
The word “Braves” is reported to come from the nickname used for an Indian headdress. Nowadays, such usage isn’t going to fly because it’s racist. The fact it has been used various times puts it near the top of this list or higher in the rankings for one of the worst professional sports team names. I hope it gets tossed soon.
#3 – Chicago Blackhawks
If you know about the team, you might be aware that the name Blackhawks is much like the “Atlanta Braves” and Cleveland Indians.” It’s dishonorable to Native American peoples.
The Blackhawks (originally spelled as the “Black Hawks when the team was established in 1926) is the namesake of a Native American section of the Sauk Tribe that had the name “Blackhawk.” In 1986, Chicago ‘replaced’ the team name and made it a single word – Blackhawks. It remains so today.
Facing pressure from the Washington Redskins’ name-change decision in 2020, Blackhawks representatives were asked whether they were thinking of changing Chicago’s team name. The response was that “The Chicago Blackhawks’ name and logo symbolizes an important and historic person, Black Hawk of Illinois’ Sac and Fox Nation, whose leadership and life has inspired generations of Native Americans, veterans, and the public.”
So there you have it. A team choosing to turn a blind eye to the blatant misrepresentation of a tribe through its entire team branding.
#2 – Edmonton Eskimos
Following the same theme as the other tribe-inspired team names, this one was just another example of dishonoring an entire group of people.
The Edmonton Canadian Football League team used the ‘Eskimos’ term from 1948 until 2020. That was changed due to the team’s admission of potentially offensive language. The Edmonton Eskimos then became the “Edmonton Elks” in 2020. Not an enthralling team name, but the Eskimos’ name just had to go.
#1 – Washington Redskins
The worst professional sports team name ever has to be the Washington Redskins. Even if you have never watched a football game or heard of this team name, it’s fair to say you would undoubtedly understand why this is one of the most offensive team names ever used. One sorry explanation was that the past Redskins’ Owner George Marshall, who died on August 9, 1969, liked the name. He even said that his Head Coach ought to be part Sioux.
Such an explanation would cause so much uproar today. Boston (which seems to be a recurring city mentioned) used the name from 1932 till 1936 when they relocated to Washington. There the name was used from 1937 until 2022 when they finally settled on the Washington Football Club, which was more recently changed to the Commanders.
In summary, many of the most offensive team names are associated with Native Americans or Indigenous peoples. The term Indian, or any such derivation, is now rightfully considered offensive. And that’s the way it should be.
