Being a fan of the Washington NFL team has been a challenge.

The team, previously known as the Redskins, the Football Team, and now the Commanders, has struggled to maintain consistent success since their last Super Bowl win in 1991.

With just three seasons of winning 10 or more games in the past three decades, the team has endured 14 seasons of losing 10 or more games.

However, the team’s off-the-field issues may be even more troubling than its on-field performance.

Much of the franchise’s troubles can be attributed to its beleaguered owner, Dan Snyder, who is currently in the process of selling the team.

The sale follows a series of scandals, including federal investigations, alleged financial violations, and accusations involving the team’s cheerleaders.

Adding to the team’s woes is the dismal state of FedEx Field, widely regarded as the worst NFL stadium.

While opinions on sports teams can be divisive, there is widespread agreement that Snyder is a highly disliked owner, and many fans would welcome his departure.

However, there is no consensus regarding the team’s name changes over the years.

The Washington football franchise has undergone several name changes in an effort to address accusations of racism.

After facing persistent criticism and accusations of offensiveness, Snyder and the team decided to abandon the “Redskins” name and logo that had been used since the team’s inception in 1937.

Initially, the team adopted the unimpressive temporary name of the “Football Team” in July 2020, before settling on “Commanders” in 2022. However, the rebranding process has been far from smooth.

According to a recent report by The Washington Post, it has come to light that, 15 months after the change, the Commanders’ name has yet to be trademarked.

On May 18, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office notified the team that their trademark application had been denied due to the possibility of confusion with existing trademarks.

The denial was based on potential confusion with the annual college football game called the Commanders’ Classic, as well as other trademarks using “Commanders” or “Washington” in their names.

The USPTO also cited the trademarks for the “Washington Space Commanders” and “Washington Wolf Commanders,” which are owned by Martin McCaulay, a purchaser of fictional sports team trademarks over the past decade.

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This recent development has reignited calls from Washington fans for another name change.

Despite the obstacles posed by the USPTO’s ruling, the Commanders maintain that this is merely a formality and not an opportunity for yet another rebrand.

A team representative stated, “We do not believe that any trademark registrations that were obtained by squatters who attempted to capitalize on the Club’s name change should stand in the way of our registrations.”

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben expressed skepticism regarding the potential confusion between the Commanders and the Commanders’ Classic game, emphasizing that the purpose of trademarks is to protect consumers from being misled. The team will have three months to appeal the USPTO’s decision.

Regardless of the team’s name for the upcoming season, the franchise faces significant challenges.

They have not made consecutive playoff appearances since the presidency of George H.W. Bush.

Furthermore, the Commanders’ roster lacks talent, particularly on the offensive side.

While their defense performed well last year, the team struggled to score points, averaging a mere 18.9 points per game, placing them among the league’s lowest-scoring teams.

In contrast to their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants, all of whom have won Super Bowls since Washington’s last victory, the Commanders have not made significant moves to improve their situation.

Instead, the franchise finds itself entangled in legal disputes, which symbolize the broader challenges faced by the team.

As Washington continues its pursuit of success on and off the field, the trademark hurdle serves as a reminder of the ongoing difficulties faced by the Commanders.

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