Fans from all over the world have adapted the fictional game, which is played in the air on flying broomsticks, into a real-life, competitive sport. Several professional leagues have come together to change the name of the sport in order to disassociate themselves from Warner Bros., which owns the Harry Potter copyright.
The namequidditch, which is trademarked by Warner Bros., has limited the sport's expansion, including but not limited to sponsorship and broadcast opportunities. The U.S. and Major LeagueQuidditch said in a joint statement that they expect the name change to allow for new and exciting developments for their players, fans and volunteers. The U.K.-based association, U.K.Quidditch, will be involved in the decision-making process.
The statement leads with the legal issues of the sport being associated with corporate-controlled intellectual property, but it also makes clear that there was another reason to distance the sport from the fiction that originally inspired it. The leagues are hoping a name change can help them distance themselves from the works of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter book series, who has become a target of anti-trans critics in recent years. The sport has developed a reputation as one of the most progressive sports in the world on gender equality and inclusivity, thanks to its maximum gender rule, which forbids a team from having more than four players of the same gender on the field at the same time. Both organizations feel it is important to live up to this reputation in all aspects of their operations and believe this move is a step in that direction.
It definitely is. Fans began to lose faith in her after she backed the actor who starred in her Fantastic Beasts series despite allegations of abuse against him. He was replaced for the third film by Mads Mikkelsen. Things took a huge turn a few years later, when she began to make it clear she held transphobic views and was incredibly stubborn about it. It has been a truth in the public eye for a while. Along the way, the leading men of the Harry Potter franchise have condemned her actions, while Warner Bros. has remained unconvincingly obtuse.
The statement of its own was added to the sentiment of its fellow organizations. It will cement the sport and community as an inclusive space if we move ourselves from J.K Rowling. The statement says that the inclusion of all persons, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, or background, has been a cornerstone of the sport. We can't continue to call ourselves quidditch and be associated with J.K Rowling because she continues to make comments against the many athletes who call this sporting community home.
Variety obtained a statement from the representation of J.K. Rowling, which said that the Major League and the U.S. Quidditch have never been endorsed by the author. She may be saying good riddance, but hopefully she's not saying enough for these organizations to cut their ties.
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