Amid growing pressure from Native American groups, sponsors, and even the city's mayor, the Washington Redskins have announced they will conduct a 'thorough review' of the team's name, which is considered by many to be offensive. .

'In light of recent events around our country and feedback from our community, the Washington Redskins are announcing the team will undergo a thorough review of the team's name,' read the statement.

Friday's statement came after the team received a formal name-change request from FedEx, which was ostensibly using its leverage as the title sponsor of the Redskins' stadium in Landover, Maryland to persuade franchise owner Daniel Snyder.  .

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has ignored pleas from Native American groups who believe the name and logo are racist, and as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN Radio in 2018, 'I don't see him changing that perspective.' Now, however, Snyder says he is seeking input on a potential name change from team 'alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League and the local community'.

FedEx is the title sponsor of the Washington Redskins' stadium in Landover, Maryland.

FedEx's proclamation comes as Nike appeared to stage a boycott of the team, with no merchandise bearing the name or logo of the Washington franchise available to buy on its website Thursday.

The Redskins say they will listen to input from team alumni, sponsors, and the local community.

The Redskins' name has survived multiple challenges over the years, with many Native American groups labeling the name racist.

The latest move came in the form of letters sent Friday to the three companies - Nike, FedEx, and PepsiCo - per Adweek.

Earlier this week, new Redskins coach Ron Rivera told Chicago's 670 The Score that it wasn't the right time to discuss a potential name change.

'We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name,' FedEx said in its one-sentence statement?

The Memphis, Tennessee-based firm paid the Redskins $205 million for the naming rights to its stadium in 1998 and FedEx chief executive Frederick Smith owns a minority stake in the team.

FedEx's recent proclamation came as Nike appeared to stage a passive boycott of the team by removing merchandise bearing the name or logo of the Washington franchise from its website. .

We believe it is time for a change

A Washington Redskins fan prepares for the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 12, 2004 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland

'However, Nike continues to provide uniforms and equipment to the Washington DC NFL football team which bears the logo and name,' the letter continued

Meanwhile the team removed Marshall's name from the Redskins' Ring of Fame at FedEx Field, as well as the stadium's lower bowl, which has been renamed for Bobby Mitchell, the franchise's first black player. 

In 2016, Snyder wrote an open letter in which he responded to a Washington Post poll showing that 9 out of 10 Native Americans did not take the term 'Redskins' negatively.  

The Redskins' tweet elicited a response from critics, who accused the team of hypocrisy