How about 'Los Hawkeyes?'

It takes more than a little courage for a corporate entity like the NBA's Phoenix Suns to make a political and cultural statement.

But the Suns are doing just that tonight (May 5) by renaming themselves "Los Suns" for their playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs to make a statement against Arizona's new immigration law.

Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich came out in favor of what the Suns -- er, Los Suns -- are doing.

"It's a wonderful idea," Popovich said. "because it kind of shows what we all should be about."

Well, Old Mike got to thinking. Iowa's football team plays at Arizona on Sept. 18. And if Iowa can be politically bold enough to refuse to play teams from universities that use mascots depicting Native Americans, surely it can make some sort of statement about Arizona's immigration law.

Now pay attention to this, please: I AM NOT ENDORSING THIS IDEA. I'm simply saying what-if.

"Los Hawkeyes," anyone?

(Someone pointed out to me it should be "Los Halcóns." Baby steps, I said. Baby steps.)

Let's face it. Some of you in Hawkdom may agree with the law, some of you may find it anti-American. But you know it can't be popular in Iowa's bastion of liberalism, Iowa City and its university.

So, is there any chance the school would call its team "Los Hawkeyes" for a day and let its Arizona friends know how it feels?

No, of course not. That doesn't mean we can't have a poll.

And I'm sure it also means I've opened the door for 50 extremely angry comments from people who won't find this blog entry the slightest bit enjoyable. Knock yourselves out.  Tell your friends to drop by and comment, too. I'm trying to drum up some blog traffic, not change society one way or the other. 

Besides, Iowa will join the Pacific-10 Conference before it does something like this.

[poll id="7"]

And, by the way, would you buy a "Los Hawkeyes" jersey?