Guardians minority owner Matt Kaulig thinks team name has stuck with fans since change from Indians

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Native American team names in sports have sparked debate for years, and Cleveland knows all about the controversy.

For decades, the name of MLB's Cleveland Indians was viewed as offensive by certain groups. After backlash and protests, the organization changed its name to the Cleveland Guardians. 

Recently, the NFL's Washington Commanders have seen support for the franchise returning to the Redskins. 

The Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) told Fox News Digital in a recent interview "toxic ignorance" led to recent pressure to remove Native American sports team names.

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A close-up of the Cleveland Guardians' logo on the jersey of Myles Straw during the third inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field April 20, 2022, in Cleveland.  (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Washington's new ownership group under Josh Harris quickly put an end to that notion. And it appears the Guardians are moving into their new era with confidence their rebrand has gone over well with the city of Cleveland. 

Guardians minority owner Matt Kaulig, an Ohio native whose Kaulig Companies is based less than 30 miles southeast of Cleveland, thinks it has. 

"I actually like the Guardians name now," Kaulig told Fox News Digital at CC Sabathia's 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament, where he was the title sponsor for the former Cleveland starter's PitCCh In Foundation event. 

CLEVELAND INDIANS HAVE CHOSEN NEW NAME AFTER MORE THAN 100 YEARS

"At first, everybody resists change anyway. Anything that changes — if I change my name — it would be hard to get used to."

Kaulig, who