Will the NE Revolution be rebranded The Boston Beacons?

Discussion in 'MLS: General' started by DaveBrett, Sep 24, 2012.

  1. DaveBrett

    DaveBrett Member

    Nov 28, 1998
    Austin, Texas
    Brian Bilello, the president of the New England Revolution, held a Q and A with fans a few days ago. The most interesting part of the conversation was when he said this:

    "I would lean towards us rebranding and that doesn't mean a decision has been made. That being said re-branding isn't just a logo change, it is a lot more. Could we do something here at Gillette? Maybe. I think it is much more powerful to do something in conjunction with a move to an urban SSS and really re-define what soccer means to our region."

    If they do rebrand, what do you think it will be? The trend has been to use original NASL names, whenever possible. The Boston Beacons were the original NASL team to play in Fenway Park in the late 1960s. The dictionary defines a beacon as "an intentionally conspicuous device designed to attract attention." That's what you want a soccer team to be.

    I think there is also a value in the alliteration. Having a team name that starts with the same letter as the name of the city just sounds right.

    Finally, if they do build a new stadium in Revere, it will be right by the sea, where you would naturally put a beacon. Here is an article about the potential stadium in Revere:
    http://www.reverejournal.com/2012/0...t-at-wonderland-might-include-soccer-stadium/

    What do you think? Will it be Boston Beacons?

    Dave
    www.DaveBrett.com
     
  2. 4door

    4door Member+

    Mar 7, 2006
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No. There is a trend for MLS to adopt the few NASL brands that have some legacy and relevance in the market, but that doesn't mean they are getting all 'wikipedia' about choosing brands. Just because some team existed for a season 30+ years ago doesn't mean it helps the brand or that it will draw any more fans. If they move closer to Boston they will go with something euro (probably British) like what the Wizards did. It will end up being Boston FC/United/Wanderers/Rovers... Yes I know there was a Boston Rovers in the 60s, no need for a wikipedia link.
     
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  3. Yoshou

    Yoshou Fan of the CCL Champ

    May 12, 2009
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that the trend is to rebrand to a NASL team... I can think of only one rebrand to a NASL team. Last I checked the Dallas Burn became FC Dallas, not the Dallas Tornado, the Kansas City Wiz became the Wizards, then Sporting Kansas City, not the Kansas City Spurs, the New York Metrostars became the New York Red Bulls, not the New York Cosmos. Although, good call on the San Jose Clash become the San Jose Earthquakes. 1 out of 4 is a total trend.
     
  4. Daniel from Montréal

    Aug 4, 2000
    Montréal
    Club:
    Montreal Impact
    Nat'l Team:
    Canada
    Add TB and Miami (NASL) as going retro.
     
  5. mjlee22

    mjlee22 Quake & Landon fan

    Nov 24, 2003
    near Palo Alto, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The first time I read this, i thought it said the new team name would be

    Boston Bacon
     
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  6. Zxcv

    Zxcv Member+

    Feb 22, 2012
    Always had a thing for Boston City FC.
     
  7. trevor_daniles

    Aug 19, 2007
    I like it man. Although, by evidence that I never heard if the Boston Beacons , who knows if they were a success. The sounders, timbers, and cosmos are all nasl names I've heard of before. But I do like the way Boston beacons sounds.
     
  8. Sounders78

    Sounders78 Member+

    Apr 20, 2009
    Olympia
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    France
    I remember the New England Tea Men, not the Boston Beacons. Neither is good.
     
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  9. Jewelz510

    Jewelz510 Member+

    Feb 19, 2011
    Bay Area
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    When I think NASL era Boston, I think Minutemen. But I don't like that name either.
     
  10. 4door

    4door Member+

    Mar 7, 2006
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If it wasn't for wikipedia, no one else would remember them either.
     
  11. Sounders78

    Sounders78 Member+

    Apr 20, 2009
    Olympia
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    France
    What about a compromise? The Beacon Minute Tea Men.
     
  12. CoconutMonkey

    CoconutMonkey Member

    Aug 3, 2010
    Japan
    Club:
    Chicago
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bacon and tea? I'd love some.

    Seriously though, Beacons?
     
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  13. VegasNYC

    VegasNYC Member

    Apr 22, 2011
    Australia
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    Boston could and should be a big MLS market, it has all the ingredients to make it work, young affluent working males/females + heaps of college kids which are a MLS target market. Add large immigrant population as well and this market should really be booming.


    What it needs is the right ownership group in place. I think everyone has heard these stories from the Krafts long enough to take it with a grain of salt.

    Not sure how toxic the name Revolution has become but a simple rebrand to Boston Revolution would be good.

    Also fix the logo so it doesn't look like an NFL rip-off. The logo is from an era when MLS teams had their names on the front of the shirt rather than a sponsor. If a newbie looked at it they wouldn't have a clue what it was TBH. This isn't the NFL where everyone knows a blue star means the Cowboys.

    Play in a 20 k stadium near a T-stop and it completes the rebrand, which unfortunately is the hardest part of the puzzle.
     
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  14. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I like the name Boston Beacons, not because of the old NASL connection (the only area team I had heard of before now was the New England Tea Men), but because the name makes sense for the location. Okay the stadium will be in Revere or Somerville, not Beacon Hill (as if the Kerrys and Kennedys would allow such a thing in their backyard) but it still sounds good. It's stupid to dismiss it as trying too hard to bring back NASL teams, when the name works (unlike the freaking Tea Men).
    Boston Beacons, Boston Minutemen, both good names... of course New England Revolution is a fine name as well, they really just need a logo that fits in with the others, a total rebrand isn't necessary. Hell they can even keep the logo as long as they build a soccer stadium near a T stop.

    I know Revere is by the water, is there a lighthouse? That would be perfect...
     
  15. thomas19064

    thomas19064 Member+

    Apr 29, 2008
    Delco
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Terrible brand, name and identity in general.... just because something is old doesn't make it good.
     
  16. tab5g

    tab5g Member+

    May 17, 2002
    Boston Rev Sox (or Boston Rev Socs or Boston Rev SC, you pick the spelling) should be under serious consideration for any possible MLS rebranding in NE.
     
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  17. yellowbismark

    yellowbismark Member+

    Nov 7, 2000
    San Diego, CA
    Club:
    Club Tijuana
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As long as we're going the route of pandering to other Boston teams, I like Boston Shamrocks as a name.
     
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  18. WarrenWallace

    WarrenWallace Member

    Mar 12, 1999
    Beer and Cheese
    Uh oh....
     
  19. LordRobin

    LordRobin Member+

    Sep 1, 2006
    Akron, OH
    Club:
    Cleveland C. S.
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Boston Baked Beans.

    Duh.

    ------RM
     
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  20. BYLRPhil

    BYLRPhil Member

    Jul 1, 2009
    Colorado
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I always liked the old Tulsa Roughneck name/logo. Of course, I'm originally from Tulsa, sooooo...

    And of course, Tulsa will NEVER get an MLS team, nor should it. NASL/USL maybe (big maybe).
     
  21. shanary

    shanary Member

    Aug 18, 2008
    BOSTON
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    All the names listed here are terrible. I might give Boston City FC a pass but seriously theseare horrible.
     
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  22. Fhurion

    Fhurion Member

    Sep 9, 2012
    Club:
    Toronto FC
    The fact that this was said by the President of the club should be a god-send to all soccer fans in Boston (even/especially those who don't follow the Revs) and all fans of the league alike. With consistent media reports on the movement of DC's stadium plan, this franchise will be the only one left languishing in the '90s and MLS 1.0 with a vague/bad name, logo, reputation and stadium deal.

    A re-brand is a must, ideally coinciding with a new stadium move (a la SKC).

    There is WAY too much BLUE in MLS, so I'd welcome a change to the GREEN hoops in homage of Boston's heritage. I'd definitely go with "Boston ..." also, to get as much distance from the NFL/Kraft/Gillette association as possible. All solid candidates, especially the nod to the city's heritage in "Shamrock Rovers" from the '60s:

    - Boston Rovers
    - Boston City FC
    - Boston Wanderers
    - Boston Revolution
     
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  23. LongDuckDong

    LongDuckDong Member+

    Jan 26, 2011
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Blue home jersey: Montreal, Revs, Sporting KC

    3 of 19

    EPL: 8 of 20 teams
     
  24. xbhaskarx

    xbhaskarx Member+

    San Jose Earthquakes
    United States
    Feb 13, 2010
    NorCal
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Boston Celtic FC
    And FC Dallas can become their rivals, the Rangers ;)
     
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  25. Papin

    Papin BigSoccer Supporter

    Nov 19, 1998
    le côté obscur
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You forgot the Union.
    5 out of 19 teams have blue home jerseys.
    8 teams have blue alternate jerseys.
    2 teams have blue thirds (LA and the Quakes).
    15 out of 19 teams in MLS have blue in their color schemes.
     
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