Are The Commanders Tiptoeing Back To The Team’s Old Name?
The Washington Commanders season opens on Sunday. But a lot of fans are busy talking about 2020, when the team changed its name from an ugly racial slur. Now some observers think they’re tiptoeing towards changing it back.
D.C. sports podcaster Al Galdi is here to talk us through the politics of the name — and the bigger question of what it takes to re-ignite a city’s love affair with its once great franchise.
(Note: This story discusses the history of the Washington Commanders and the team’s former name, which some listeners may find offensive. The former name is repeated throughout the story as part of that discussion.)
Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.
Learn more about the sponsors of this September 9th episode:
DC Department of Behavioral Health
The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Latest Episodes
‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast DC
Another D.C. school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-p...

JLG's Campaign Fine Reversed, More Parking Tickets Ahead, and D.C.'s Most Expensive Bread Costs How Much?
This week, we unpack the tensions that led the Council to narrowly pass a bill letting businesses and college campuses pay extra for more...

JLG Has Big Plans for D.C. Transit
D.C.'s likely next mayor, Janeese Lewis George, has been dropping hints about how she'll handle one of D.C.’s most fraught issues – trans...

With the Kennedy Center Closed, What’s Next for D.C. Theater?
In partnership with Theatre Washington, City Cast DC theater critic Chris Klimek sat down for a live conversation Monday night at D.C.’s...

Why Is D.C. So Lonely?
Living in any big city has its moments of loneliness — but according to some studies, D.C. might be the loneliest city in the U.S. W...

The Real Status Symbols in Trump-Era D.C.
D.C. has always had an in-crowd with its own hangouts, habits, and status symbols. But the in-crowd of the Trump White House has differen...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast DC
When D.C. looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did...

Trump Targets Mosquitoes, D.C. Courts Can’t Keep Up, And Next Steps For Trayon White?
Now that Trayon White’s bribery trial ended in a hung jury, what’s next for the Ward 8 Councilman? We’ll get into it. Speaking of D.C. co...

How Lime Is Tackling E-Bike And Scooter Safety Issues In D.C.
Lime scooters and bikes are a fixture of D.C.’s landscape. They’re great for getting somewhere in a hurry, but safety issues persist. Lim...

Your Guide To D.C. In October 2026
We’re back with our regular monthly guide for October, but this time we tried something a little different. We answer questions submitted...


