Georgia incumbent senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler oppose a name change for the Atlanta Braves, after recent polling showed that many Georgians agree.
Earlier this week, Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan revealed that the baseball team will undergo a name change after having discussions with Native American groups. With the moniker being gone as soon as the conclusion of the 2021 season, there has been a national discussion if the Atlanta Braves could be the next professional sports teams to undergo a name change. If you ask Georgians, they’re not on board.
Incumbent Georgia senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, both of whom are in runoff elections against challengers Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock respectively, released a statement to reveal they “adamantly oppose” the changing the Braves nickname. The statement comes shortly after a recent poll from Trafalger Group revealed that 72-percent of likely Georgia voters said they do not support a name change.
Braves have previously revealed they have no intention on changing name
It doesn’t come as a shock that Perdue and Loeffler would release a statement against the name change to get in the good graces of the 72-percent of voters who share the same sentiment. The seats of the Republican incumbents are on the line in a runoff election against their Democratic challengers with Senate control on the line.
The aforementioned poll revealed that nearly 90-percent of Perdue-Loeffler voters oppose the name change, while over 50-percent of Ossoff-Warnock voters also against a name change.
The Braves entered the conversation about a potential moniker change after the Washington NFL franchise temporarily changed their name to the Washington Football Team. Back in July, the Braves sent an email to season-ticket holders, via ESPN, that they will not make a name change. Additionally, the organization said that they would consider moving on from the controversial tomahawk chop chant and would talk it over with the formed Native American Working Group consisting of tribal leaders.
Even with the recent name change of the Washington Football Team and the impending switch of the Cleveland baseball club, Georgians have let it be known that they’re not on board with such a decision in regards to the Braves.