Much like I refuse to enter into any debate regarding Pete Rose entering the Hall of Fame without a discussion about "Shoeless" Joe Jackson entering as well, I refuse to enter into a debate over Native American sporting names without a discussion about the nations most visible college football program (Notre Dame) having the mascot which depicts a drunken Irishmen ready to rumble at the drop of a hat.
That said, my opinion is that both Pete and Shoeless Joe should enter the Hall.
And, there shouldn't be a necessity to change our league's team names, though there probably should be reason to address a change in logo design in some cases (see: Cleveland Indians). My reasoning for my stance is this. . . the people that most care about a particular sports team is their fans. They have pride in and with the team(s) that they root for. I know as a fan of Chicago's sports teams I find pride in when they do well. More apt to this discussion I find a lot of pride in being a Blackhawks fan and proudly support the name and the roots that it came from.
With all of that clumsily said, let me finish with saying.... why would you want a sports team that represents your city, your rooting interest, your bragging rights, to be named after a derogatory term? You don't. These team names were created out of respect.
