Edmonton’s CFL team will be changing its name. The CFL says in a release it will begin ‘a comprehensive engagement process’ on a new name. In the meantime, the club will use the names EE Football Team and Edmonton Football Team.The Canadian Press
Edmonton’s Canadian Football League club is dropping its long-time team name – a decision that follows allegations of racism from Indigenous politicians and threats by sponsors to pull their support.
In a statement on Tuesday, the chair of the club’s board of directors said that it is making the change because of recent community engagement and research into the issue.
For the time being, the club said it will use the names EE Football Team and Edmonton Football Team, adding that it will undergo a “comprehensive engagement process” on a new name that will include season ticket holders, casual ticket purchasers and partners.
“People who defended the name only a year ago are less comfortable with it now,” board chair Janice Agrios said in a video conference. “Institutions are being renamed around the world. The change to our name is part of a sweeping societal change.”
The team’s decision to change its name is taking place while pressure is mounting across North America over the use of sports team names and logos that are perceived as racist. Washington’s National Football League team announced earlier this month that it would change its team name, Chicago’s National Hockey League team has faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks over its name and Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team is exploring a potential name change.
Natan Obed, the president of Canada’s national Inuit organization, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, thanked the team for making the change on Tuesday, adding that it’s the result of Indigenous people who spoke up. “Inuit spoke up and said this has been used against many of us as an ethnic slur and we are not mascots,” he told The Globe and Mail.
Mr. Obed has been advocating for the team to take this decision, saying that Inuit aren’t mascots and that the term that was being used for the team name was the last place in Canada it was used widely.
“I am really thankful that the Edmonton CFL has dropped that particular moniker,” he said. “This is not something that belongs in present day Canada and even if the name was created with good intentions, it no longer really has a place in society, especially as a term that is used for a football team.”
It took courage and leadership for the Edmonton team to change its name, he added, noting that the change will have a positive impact on the future of Inuit society.
“I would like to think of today as one of those steps along the way to understanding and respect,” he said.
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Edmonton’s long-standing team name dates back to 1892 when residents of the city unofficially embraced it after a Calgary reporter referred to the team as “those Esquimaux from the North.” The team later picked up the name officially and the current edition of the Edmonton Football Club started in 1949.
The club, which has resisted past calls to change its name, announced recently that it would conduct a review and pledged that the process would be complete by the end of the month. It also had a research firm, Abacus Data, conduct a survey on behalf of the team as part of that review.
Mr. Obed said the survey amounted to a straw poll on racism and that it was unethical.
The club said Tuesday that recent findings demonstrated that views regarding the name are shifting.
It said that while many fans are “deeply committed” to keeping the name, others are increasingly uncomfortable with it.
“The long-term viability of the club requires everyone to get behind this change and continue to support the team, especially during these challenging financial times,” the club said.
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It also said that for more than 100 years, the club and its predecessor have celebrated the “hardiness and spirit” of those who live in the north. The club added that its values of community, integrity, respect and inclusion will not change with the decision on the name.
In recent weeks, the Edmonton team has been under the microscope over its name, especially from sponsors.
Boston Pizza ended its association with the team entirely, while insurance provider belairdirect threatened to pull its sponsorship should the team not change its name.
Edmonton also faced calls from NDP Nunavut MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, who is Inuk, to change its name.
The Edmonton name change is long overdue, Ms. Qaqqaq said Tuesday, adding that it is a step in the right direction.
“We are not a mascot. I think people have finally come to respect that.”
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
