The game impressed by “Harry Potter” goes full muggle.
US Quidditch and Main League Quidditch stated in a joint news release that they may change their identify, citing writer J.Okay. Rowling’s outspoken views on transgender issues.
“The leagues are hoping a reputation change may also help them proceed to distance themselves from the works of J.Okay. Rowling, the writer of the Harry Potter guide collection, who has more and more come underneath scrutiny for her anti-trans positions lately,” the assertion stated.
Rowling has stepped into the talk over trans rights a number of occasions, including a comment posted on Twitter last week criticizing Scottish police for allowing rape suspects to self-identify as female.
“Our sport has developed a repute as one of the progressive sports activities on the earth on gender equality and inclusivity, partly because of its gender most rule, which stipulates {that a} staff might not have greater than 4 gamers of the identical gender on the sector at a time,” the leagues’ assertion stated. “Each organizations really feel it’s crucial to reside as much as this repute in all facets of their operations and imagine this transfer is a step in that route.”
No new identify was introduced. The assertion stated they may “conduct a collection of surveys over the subsequent few months to information a call relating to the brand new identify.”
The surveys are anticipated to be executed by the top of January and embody an online version for followers to submit. Nevertheless, the leagues stated they may retain their respective “USQ” and “MLQ” acronyms, suggesting the brand new identify will start with a “Q.”
The transfer, underneath dialogue for a 12 months, can also be a enterprise resolution.
The leagues additionally famous that the identify of the game, which resembles subject hockey however makes use of broomsticks, can also be trademarked by Warner Bros., which “has restricted the game’s enlargement, together with however not restricted to sponsorship and broadcast alternatives.”
“Each leagues anticipate that this identify change will permit for brand new and thrilling developments for our gamers, followers, and volunteers as the game continues to develop,” the leagues’ assertion stated.
“I imagine quidditch is at a turning level,” USQ Government Director Mary Kimball stated within the assertion. “We will proceed the established order and keep comparatively small, or we will make massive strikes and actually propel this sport ahead into its subsequent section. Renaming the game opens up so many extra income alternatives for each organizations, which is essential to enlargement.”
She stated that joint possession of a brand new trademark will allow the leagues to pursue sponsorships, main TV community broadcast offers “and different tasks that’ll deal with a number of the greatest obstacles to taking part in the game, like entry to gear.”
