Cleveland’s MLB team officially changing name to Guardians on Friday

Cleveland’s MLB team announced it will officially change its name to the Guardians on Friday after settling with a roller derby team of the same name.

The team, formerly known as the Indians, announced it will change its name after the 2021 season following years of pressure from Native American groups and human rights activists who deemed the Indians name racist. 

The team’s shop at Progressive Field will start selling Guardians merchandise and souvenirs later this week, and more gear will become available at various retail stores in northeast Ohio on Nov. 23. 

The club also said that some digital elements will be phased out on Thursday before its website and social media handles will change to Guardians, according to The Associated Press.  

Team owner Larry Dolan said his decision to move on from the Indians moniker was spurred by the national reckoning on racist names and symbols, the AP reported. 

Former President Trump criticized the team’s decision to change its name earlier this year, saying “many Indians” will be upset with the club’s decision. 

“Can anybody believe that the Cleveland Indians, a storied and cherished baseball franchise since taking the name in 1915, are changing their name to the Guardians? Such a disgrace,” Trump said in his statement. 

The team settled a lawsuit on Tuesday with a Cleveland-based roller derby team over the use of the Guardian name that allows both to use the moniker using forward.