The Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have scrapped plans to temporarily rebrand as the 'Sacramento Gold Diggers' after facing swift and widespread criticism. The team intended to adopt the new moniker for a limited number of games as part of a promotional effort. However, the release of a promotional video associated with the 'Gold Diggers' name sparked outrage on social media and beyond.
Critics voiced concerns that the name and associated imagery were insensitive and potentially offensive. The backlash centered on the historical context of the California Gold Rush and the term's modern connotations. In response to the negative feedback, the River Cats organization quickly reversed its decision.
"We understand the concerns that have been raised, and we apologize for any offense caused," the team said in a statement. "We are committed to being a team that represents the Sacramento community in a positive and inclusive way. We will be moving forward as the Sacramento River Cats."
Sacramento River Cats Abandon 'Gold Diggers' Rebrand After Criticism
The Sacramento River Cats, a minor league baseball team, planned to temporarily rebrand as the 'Sacramento Gold Diggers' for a series of games. However, the team faced immediate backlash after releasing a promotional video. Critics argued that the name and imagery were insensitive, prompting the River Cats to reverse course and scrap the planned name change. The team issued an apology and will continue to play under their original name.