(Photo by Jason Miller / Getty)
(CLEVELAND) - WTAM News has confirmed that the Cleveland Indians will stop using the Chief Wahoo logo on their uniforms in 2019. The decision follows several discussions between the team and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. The iconic logo, which has been used in various expressions by the team since 1947, has been deemed offensive by activist groups.
In a statement, Manfred said the team conveyed to him that some fans have a "long-standing attachment" to the logo, but the Indians agreed that it's "no longer appropriate for on-field use."
The Indians will wear the Wahoo logo this season and continue to sell merchandise featuring it, but that merchandise will only be sold locally starting in 2019. Merchandise with the logo will be available in the Indians Team Shop and other official MLB retailers such as Target and Dicks Sporting Goods.
“Major League Baseball is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the game,” said Commissioner Manfred. “Over the past year, we encouraged dialogue with the Indians organization about the Club’s use of the Chief Wahoo logo. During our constructive conversations, Paul Dolan made clear that there are fans who have a longstanding attachment to the logo and its place in the history of the team. Nonetheless, the club ultimately agreed with my position that the logo is no longer appropriate for on-field use in Major League Baseball, and I appreciate Mr. Dolan’s acknowledgement that removing it from the on-field uniform by the start of the 2019 season is the right course.”
“We have consistently maintained that we are cognizant and sensitive to both sides of the discussion,”said Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan. “While we recognize many of our fans have a longstanding attachment to Chief Wahoo, I’m ultimately in agreement with Commissioner Manfred’s desire to remove the logo from our uniforms in 2019.”
Under growing pressure, the team has been transitioning away from Chief Wahoo in recent years. The Indians introduced a block "C'' insignia on their caps and have removed stadium signs with the Wahoo logo.