Indians Name Change Won't Happen Before 2022 Season

The Cleveland Indians are changing their nickname after 105 years. They just won't do it this year.

According to a Monday release from the team, the process on a name change has begun. After what the organization called "an extensive process to learn how our team name affected different constituencies," it determined that it will come up with a "new, non-Native American based name."

The New York Times reported Sunday night that Cleveland has been "internally discussing" a possible name change for several months, or as the team statement read, "since July."

The Indians were formed in 1894, when they called Grand Rapids, Mich., home and went by the nickname the "Rustlers." They moved to Cleveland in 1900, when they were known as the "Lake Shores." After a stint as the "Spiders," they became the "Indians" in 1915.

They last won a World Series in 1948 though, so it's not like a name change is going to make people forget a long history of success.

"While Indians will always be a part of our history, it's time to move forward and work to unify our fans and stakeholders and fans through a new name," team owner Paul Dolan said.