An Ontario Superior Court judge has dismissed an injunction application filed by a Canadian activist to ban the Cleveland Indians' team name and Chief Wahoo logo for their games in Toronto against the Blue Jays.
Though a reason was not immediately given for Monday's decision, Judge Thomas McEwen admitted a solution needed to be reached quickly due to the circumstances, according to the Toronto Star's Sammy Hudes. Cleveland plays Toronto in Game 3 of the ALCS at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Activist and Officer of the Order of Canada Douglas Cardinal filed the application Friday to ban the team's name and Chief Wahoo logo, both considered derogatory by many. Though he was displeased with the decision, Cardinal is grateful the application raised awareness.
"I am deeply disappointed in the court’s ruling, however, today was a victory in that we have elevated awareness of this serious issue at a national - and even international - level," Cardinal said in a statement, according to Joseph Brean of the National Post.
If the proposed ban had been approved, Rogers Communications - owner of the Blue Jays and Canadian broadcaster for the MLB postseason - would have had to somehow block out the name and logo from the Canadian broadcast. The company argued it would have been forced to cancel broadcasting the game entirely to avoid being held in contempt.
"We understand that the Cleveland name and logo is a concern for a number of Canadians," the media conglomerate said in a statement earlier Monday, according to CBC News. "The playoff series between the Jays and Cleveland is also significantly important to millions of passionate baseball fans across Canada. Punishing these fans by blocking the broadcast of the games doesn't seem like the right solution."
