Real-life Quidditch league to change name of sport to distance from JK Rowling transgender row
QUIDDITCH leagues are set to rename the fictional sport in a bid to "distance" themselves from Harry Potter creator JK Rowling.
The US Quidditch (USQ) and Major League Quidditch (MLQ) announced they will choose a new name for their real-life version of the broomstick-based sport following the controversy.
Non-magic players of the sport, made famous by Rowling's Harry Potter series, play in teams of seven on a hockey pitch, while holding a "broom" between their legs.
The "muggle" version of the game - which features flying and enchanted balls in the Hogwarts universe - is played all over the world including on Clapham Common in London.
But now two American leagues will drop the name "Quidditch".
In a joint statement, a spokesperson for the USQ and MLQ said: "The leagues are hoping a name change can help them continue to distance themselves from the works of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter book series, who has increasingly come under scrutiny for her anti-trans positions in recent years.
"Our sport has developed a reputation as one of the most progressive sports in the world on gender equality and inclusivity, in part thanks to its gender maximum rule, which stipulates that a team may not have more than four players of the same gender on the field at a time.
"Both organizations feel it is imperative to live up to this reputation in all aspects of their operations and believe this move is a step in that direction."
Most read in The Sun
But the move also allows the leagues to pursue more broadcast and sponsorship opportunities because the sport's name is trademarked by Warner Brothers Studios - which makes the Harry Potter films.
It comes after the outspoken Brit author sparked fury in the transgender community for comments she made about women's safety.
She was accused of transphobia last summer when replying to an article with the headline: “Opinion: Creating a more equal post Covid-19 world for people who menstruate.”
She tweeted: “‘People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
Her remarks led to an angry backlash, including criticism from Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Eddie Redmayne.
Rowling, 56, has refused to back down following the eruption of the row.
The author vowed not to be silenced by trans activists - telling them: “I’ve received so many death threats I could paper the house.”
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552.
Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at