Kickstarter

THE PROJECT

Some 80 years ago, what is now the Washington football franchise began as the Boston Braves.  In 1933, the team changed its name to the Boston Redskins (echoes of the historic Boston Tea Party, perhaps).  The team relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1937.  Thus, the Washington Redskins were born.

Since the owners officially registered the name in 1967, there has been concern to find a more appropriate moniker for the team which represents the nation's capital.  On one side of the argument, it is acknowledged that the name is racially offensive to the First Peoples (or Native Americans) of this continent.  On the other side, the owners insist that "redskins" is meant as an honorific.

While there have been opinion polls about this issue in the past, we are going to do detailed market survey research to get to the heart of the matter.  We are going to see how the general public and fan base are open to what essentially would be a third name change for the Washington football franchise.

While some people have tried to influence the owners to update their team's name using moral or legal arguments, we are interested to reframe (i.e., to advance) this decades-long conversation.  Specifically, is there a good economic reason for the owners to consider a name & logo change?  We are sympathetic and supportive of the business interests of the franchise.

This is a completely independent initiative.  We are partnering with Accenture, an industry leader in consulting and market research.  Whatever the data reveal, we will share the results as a journalistic article with major newspaper and magazine outlets around the country.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

This grassroots fundraising campaign lasts for one month, ending on December 12th.  With your support, we can do the research to complete this freely distributed, nationally syndicated article.

• Please share the project with your friends, family and colleagues via phone and email.  A personal invitation to participate is always best.
• Please advocate for the project through social media such as Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn and otherwise.  This is a huge help. 
• Please follow up with your community & network throughout the fundraising campaign, gently reminding and encouraging them to participate.  Folks may be interested in the project, but also too busy to click through.
• Please pledge a few dollars to the project, however much you feel comfortable to contribute.  Every donation is meaningful and brings us closer to the goal.

Most importantly, please don't wait to join in and help out.  The sooner that you pitch in, the more momentum we'll have to achieve the project.

SCHEDULE & BUDGET

November is devoted to fundraising, in remembrance of Native American Heritage Month, as well as the humanistic issues that coincide with the Thanksgiving holiday season.  In December, we'll begin fulfilling the campaign rewards for the project's backers.  In January 2013, we're scheduled to create the market survey research tool, leading up to the football season's Super Bowl.  In February, we will do the market research and analysis.  Then, in March, we'll write up the results in a news article for submission to the major media outlets.

Our fundraising goal is the minimum amount needed to complete the article.  However, the more funds we raise, the more in-depth research and analysis we can accomplish.  The budget breakdown is as follows:

• $4,600 - Market survey & data collection
• $3,000 - Data analysis & report
• $800    - Kickstarter & Amazon service fees
• $600    - Fulfillment of pledge rewards

Whatever your feelings are about the Washington football franchise, nothing is set in stone.  Come now, let us reason together.