Chiefs set to change brand?

Pleased to see that it appears that Exeter Chiefs will, after all, ditch their Native American branding.

No final decision has been made but it seems the majority of fans support the change following a club consultation.

The name “Chiefs” will almost certainly remain – having been commonly in use since the early 1900s and there being nothing intrinsically wrong with the name itself.

The Native American branding – adopted in 1999 – has, however, caused controversy – with complaints from the National Congress of American Indians that it promotes offensive stereotypes.

Exeter has insisted to date that no offence has ever been intended, and I am sure that is the case, but it seems that there has finally been a realisation that it is not for the club to decide what is, and what is not, offensive.

Exeter are therefore likely to follow the example of several US professional sports teams faced with a similar issue and it is reported that the club are looking into the possibility of adopting a local Iron Age tribe – the Dumnonii – as alternative branding.

A final decision is expected within the next few weeks…

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was