October Term 2000 · Docket 00-203
Does the federal government have the authority to force a baseball team to change its name?
The government seeks to compel the Cleveland Indians to abandon their team name. The team argues this action violates its rights.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Feldman argued on behalf of the side that brought the case.
Mr. Phillips argued on behalf of the opposing side.
Chief Justice Rehnquist closed the oral argument.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 11-13
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on the federal government's power to mandate a name change for a professional sports team. The government argues the name is harmful. The team argues the government lacks this specific authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 27, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
The government wants the team to change its name.
The team wants to keep its current name.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What each side says
The government argues the name causes harm and must change.
The team argues the government cannot force this specific change.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What the justices asked
Does the federal government possess the legal power to mandate this name change?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 11-13
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of federal power over private business names. It sets a precedent for government regulation of commercial identity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 11-13
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.