Rob Manfred Hints At Meeting With Indians Ownership To Discuss Racist Logo [Update]

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made an appearance on ESPN’s Mike & Mike yesterday to shoot the shit about the World Series. Manfred said he feels good about the elevated level of interest in the historic Indians-Cubs World Series, and is stoked that there are 14 players under the age of 25 playing in the Series.

At the end of the interview, Mike Golic asked the commissioner about the Indians’ use of Chief Wahoo throughout the postseason—the team has, by decision of its players, worn its second alternate dark blue Wahoo uniform during every postseason game.

Manfred hinted to Golic that he has plans to speak with team ownership about the use of the logo during the offseason:

Well, I understand that particular logo is offensive to some people, and I understand why. On the other side of the coin, you have a lot of fans that have history and are invested in the symbols of the Indians. I think that after the World Series, at an appropriate point in time, Mr. [Larry] Dolan and I have agreed we’ll have a conversation about what should happen with that particular logo going forward.

I reached out to MLB for clarification on whether Manfred has concrete plans to meet with Dolan or other Indians people about the logo.

Dolan said earlier this year that Wahoo would become its alternate logo to the classic block-C logo. During the ALCS, an indigenous activist in Canada filed a request for an injunction to disallow the use of the team name and Chief Wahoo logo while the Indians were playing the Blue Jays in Toronto. The request for the injunction was denied. MLB issued the following statement on the logo and the possible litigation, its only public comments on the logo this postseason:

Major League Baseball appreciates the concerns of those that find the name and logo of the Cleveland Indians to be offensive. We would welcome a thoughtful and inclusive dialogue to address these concerns outside the context of litigation. Given the demands for completing the League Championship Series in a timely manner, MLB will defend Cleveland’s right to use their name that has been in existence for more than 100 years.

The Mike & Mike clip of Manfred discussing Chief Wahoo is here:

Update (12:30 p.m.): An MLB spokesperson confirms “they have agreed to discuss the topic in the offseason.”