Now that Cleveland Baseball Team joins Washington Football Team as franchises ditching their insensitive identity for a new name, it’s time to go crazy with things. There are several pro sports teams that should change their name immediately. Not because they are offensive, mind you.
But because they are just plain bad or aren’t landing with fans. There is no worse existence in sports than having a team name no one cares about it.
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Pro sports teams that should change their name immediately
Los Angeles Chargers
Unlike the other pro sports teams that should change their name immediately on this list, the Los Angeles Chargers have a cool look and identity. The main issue here is that the Chargers’ name gets no traction in Los Angeles. The city doesn’t want this team as is. Now adopting a new name may not change that, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.
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Oklahoma City Thunder
Imagine trying to describe what thunder sounds like to a deaf person who has never heard it. This is no easy feat, and it remains a problem for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their team name has no visual identity and that has left them in the lurch as a completely generic, uninspiring franchise from a branding standpoint.
In some ways, an existence in purgatory is fitting for a team that doesn’t deserve to exist in the first place. But here’s the kicker. Somehow the Seattle Supersonics and Sonics managed to take a name with no visual qualities and make it great. The Thunder have done the exact opposite.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Pro sports teams in Columbus, Ohio have to have really stupid names for some reason. First, there was the Ohio Glory of the old World League of American Football. Then came the Columbus Crew with their “three dudes in hardhats” logo that looks like it belongs on a flyer for a gay club.
And that brings us to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the worst name of the bunch. I get that the name’s significance stems from the city’s Civil War history, but who equates Ohio and the Civil War in the first place? Supplying troops and uniforms is hardly a major accomplishment. And for all of the state’s efforts during the war, they also foisted General Custer on the rest of the country during this time.
Real Salt Lake
There is nothing regal or royal about Salt Lake City. There are also no connections between Real Madrid and Real Salt Lake. Even after 15 years, Real Salt Lake remains the most fugazi name in the MLS by a country mile. It’s the fake Louis Vuitton handbag of American soccer teams.
When MLS teams in the States started switching over from Americanized names to European-based ones, the reaction was mixed. However, most clubs have grown into their branding. Real Salt Lake has not. Like most knockoffs, it won’t ever look like the real deal and only gets worse with age.
Tampa Bay Rays
What are the Tampa Bay Rays even referring to with their name? Sun rays? Devil rays? A guy named Ray? They don’t seem to know anymore and have left behind a trail of confusing and unremarkable logos and uniforms in their wake. The Devil Rays name was fairly unique and provided a nice contrast when they played the Los Angeles Angels.
Tampa Bay actually made the name change after the 2007 season as new owner Stuart Sternberg wanted to give the team a new “identity” after years of losing in front of no fans at Tropicana Field. Some 13 years later and the Rays are still best known for their poor attendance and a crummy stadium despite being winners. Just move to Montreal and become the Expos already.
