The Cleveland Indians plan to drop the nickname they have used for more than a century, becoming the latest professional sports franchise to shed its Native American imagery amid charges that its use is racist, two sources familiar with the decision confirmed to ESPN.
The organization is expected to announce the change this week, sources said, continuing a years-long process in which they abandoned their Chief Wahoo logo and committed to exploring a new nickname as well.
The New York Times first reported the decision.
Cleveland has not settled on a new nickname, and it's unclear whether the team will be dropping the nickname immediately or will transition to a new moniker following the 2021 season.