MLB 'making progress' with Indians on dropping Chief Wahoo logo
The controversial Chief Wahoo icon may not be a staple on Cleveland Indians jerseys much longer.
Pat Courtney, a spokesperson for Major League Baseball, told the New York Times' David Waldstein on Wednesday that Commissioner Rob Manfred has been engaged in ongoing talks with Cleveland's front office surrounding the insignia, where Manfred has made clear his "desire to transition away from the Chief Wahoo logo."
Courtney also admitted the league has negotiated a possible path towards completely eradicating usage of the emblem with the franchise.
"We have specific steps in an identified process and are making progress," Courtney said, according to Waldstein. "We are confident that a positive resolution will be reached that will be good for the game and the club."
Related: Chief Wahoo protesters want to be in on Indians' talks with MLB
The contentious logo has drawn increasing criticism in recent seasons.
When the Indians traveled to Toronto to face the Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series in October, indigenous Canadian activist Douglas Cardinal filed a human rights complaint against Cleveland's logo and nickname to prevent their usage on Canadian broadcasts.
Though that injunction was later dismissed by an Ontario Supreme Court Judge, Manfred did later admit he planned to discuss the controversial logo with the team in the offseason.
"Well, I understand that particular logo is offensive to some people, and I understand why," Manfred said in October. "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."
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