After years of criticism, the Washington Redskins are changing their team name. The team officially announced that the change is effective immediately.

Since 2013, groups like the Oneida Indian Nation have been pushing to get rid of offensive team mascots. Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. called the name change "long overdue," adding he believes ownership didn't make the change out of respect toward Indigenous people, but over financial pressure.

"After decades of perpetuating and promoting an offensive and racist nickname, change has finally come to the football franchise in Washington. It is a change that is long overdue. The Seneca people and Indigenous people everywhere are appreciative of the fact that this change is finally being made. Yet, it is clear that the team’s ownership did not make this decision out of respect and decency toward Indigenous people, who have been calling for this change for many years. Ultimately, it was the financial pressure exerted by corporations and the possible hit on the team’s wallet that drove the decision. We appreciate that companies like Nike, FedEx, and others stood up to force the issue toward its rightful conclusion," he said in a statement.

Nation leaders even went so far as to visit Washington, D.C. during the NFL league meetings to spread their "Change the Mascot" campaign. The final push came last week when more than a dozen Native American leaders and organizations wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell demanding an immediate end to Washington's name.

"Whatever the reason, we are happy that the change is being made, and we hope that the team will engage the Native American community in a meaningful way as they create a new identity. If there was ever a moment to make a statement about how we can start to successfully move beyond the caricature and negative representations of Native culture, this is it. An organization that performs on a global stage and is based in the nation’s capital has the platform to make that statement. Not doing so would be a missed opportunity," Armstrong, Sr. continued.

FedEx, the title sponsor of the team's stadium, followed up by pulling their sponsorship. Nike and other brands also pulled team gear from their online stores.

"The change in Washington should not be an isolated occurrence. The use of Native American names and imagery needs to be looked at in a comprehensive manner. Communities, organizations, and institutions at every level across the country should start those important conversations and heed the call for positive change," Armstrong, Sr. concluded. 

The team has not yet said what names it's considering as a replacement.