My Problem with the Wizards

[jamesf24]

I am a soccer guy, I was a season ticket holder in KC the first 3 seasons, before I moved to Kalamazoo. I buy the dish package, I attend at least a couple of MLS games a year, I buy soccer merchandise and want to support the Wizards, my favorite team. I have a Wizards bumper sticker on my car. I talk up MLS & the Wizards at work, at "soccer zone" the local indoor faciliy, and with the Mexicans in the Kalamazoo ethnic leagues.

My problem is, I hate the Wizards logo. I recently bought an MLS polo from mlsgear.com. I would much rather have bought a Wizards polo, but I went with the MLS logo instead.

While not all MLS teams have "classic logos", such as Liverpool, or Man U., or even DC United, all of the other MLS teams have better logos than the Wizards.

I had a problem with the team name from day one. "Wiz" sucked, then, when they changed it to "Wizards", they should have seized the opportunity to go a totally different direction, but they didnt. A major marketing mistake in my book.

Anyhow, at least they finally have two jersey's that arent so ridiculous that you can wear them someplace other than a Wizards game.

I guess I'm done complaining, I'm still a Wizards fan, but I would love to be proud to show my colors, unfortunatley, I'm more embarrased for the league than proud when it comes to apparell.

James

[kcscsupporter]

jamesf24, i agree with you on most points. i've always hated the name 'wiz.' in fact, it disturbs me a little when some posters on here still call them the wiz. i'm of the notion, however, that if you're a fan of the wizards, you can call them whatever the hell you want.

i also agree with you about the crest. we don't have anything to do with most of those colors on the crest anymore. they should make it more of a shield and use something that ties the team with the city it represents. although, that little star above the crest makes it all better! :)

as far as the rest of the league is concerned. you can't say that the crew's crest is better than our's!!! i think they might have the best uniforms in the league, and the worst crest to go along with it.

[ojsgillt]

Here we go...................... again.:)

[Wizardscharter]

Originally posted by jamesf24
While not all MLS teams have "classic logos", such as Liverpool, or Man U., or even DC United, all of the other MLS teams have better logos than the Wizards.

Would that be the "classic" DC logo previous to MLS changing it or the one they currently have? Which "classic" one would that be exactly {sarcasm}?

Is Man U.'s logo classic because it has been there since the dawn of time or it simply classic because they win the majority of their games? It's so classic that it's difficult to get a mental picture of what is inside the wreath of letters unless you have seen it lately. How many reading would have even started with "wreath of letters" in the first place? Not many.

In my estimation the best logo in the EPL was Arsenal's old logo. But of course that had to be streamlined into a USFL logo also. Apparently the old one with all the little white cannons in the background was costing too much to embroider on all the clothes. Bastards.

On a more positive note, a logo should function as a badge/sheild first and formost. I think a good badge requies a geometric shape of some type. It's just my belief that "flowing" logos don't lend themselves to much of anything.

Even I can see through my blinding hatred of DC to admit that their logo makes a good badge (home kits still suck); as does LA's, Columbus', and ours. Yes, our does make a good sheild. There are many directions they could have gone with the name Wizards and they definitely came up short, but it's still not a bad effort. (Knights with Purple, or with a white bearded Wizard {or something indicating magic} in the logo would have been my direction for starters.) Colorado's is good for the name. It would be difficult to depict something as undefinable as a flowing rapid within a geometric shape. SJ's newest version did manage to capture the undefinable and is certainly a step up, boring, but a step up. None of these can touch Chicago's. That one is the best going away.

[SamPierron]

Arsenal changed their logo because they could trademark it, whereas they couldn't the other one due to age. That, and, probably something to do with the embroidery. :)

[kcscsupporter]

Originally posted by wizardscharter


None of these can touch Chicago's. That one is the best going away.

that is quite true....it is quality....and it is original.

[jamesf24]

Originally posted by wizardscharter


Would that be the "classic" DC logo previous to MLS changing it or the one they currently have? Which "classic" one would that be exactly {sarcasm}?

Is Man U.'s logo classic because it has been there since the dawn of time or it simply classic because they win the majority of their games? It's so classic that it's difficult to get a mental picture of what is inside the wreath of letters unless you have seen it lately. How many reading would have even started with "wreath of letters" in the first place? Not many.

In my estimation the best logo in the EPL was Arsenal's old logo. But of course that had to be streamlined into a USFL logo also. Apparently the old one with all the little white cannons in the background was costing too much to embroider on all the clothes. Bastards.

On a more positive note, a logo should function as a badge/sheild first and formost. I think a good badge requies a geometric shape of some type. It's just my belief that "flowing" logos don't lend themselves to much of anything.

Even I can see through my blinding hatred of DC to admit that their logo makes a good badge (home kits still suck); as does LA's, Columbus', and ours. Yes, our does make a good sheild. There are many directions they could have gone with the name Wizards and they definitely came up short, but it's still not a bad effort. (Knights with Purple, or with a white bearded Wizard {or something indicating magic} in the logo would have been my direction for starters.) Colorado's is good for the name. It would be difficult to depict something as undefinable as a flowing rapid within a geometric shape. SJ's newest version did manage to capture the undefinable and is certainly a step up, boring, but a step up. None of these can touch Chicago's. That one is the best going away.


The point is this: In non MLS markets, the only recognizable teams are DC United & Chicago, and their badge is the reason why.

KC's shield, or badge, or whatever you want to call it sucks. As does Colorado's.

Back to my story, if I still lived in KC, I would probably have bought the Wizards polo, but here, or in any non MLS market, no one, even soccer people, would associate with it.

The only way KC will attract those middle of the road fans, is by having great players on the national team, which we don't. Anyway, even if they keep the name, they should look at redesigning the "brand", as marketers would call it.

James

[ultraviolet]

Originally posted by jamesf24



The point is this: In non MLS markets, the only recognizable teams are DC United & Chicago, and their badge is the reason why.

KC's shield, or badge, or whatever you want to call it sucks. As does Colorado's.

Back to my story, if I still lived in KC, I would probably have bought the Wizards polo, but here, or in any non MLS market, no one, even soccer people, would associate with it.

The only way KC will attract those middle of the road fans, is by having great players on the national team, which we don't. Anyway, even if they keep the name, they should look at redesigning the "brand", as marketers would call it.

James

Kleiny is working his way into the Nats picture. After saturdays performance, I think he only enhanced his chances.

[PezJunkie]

Originally posted by kcscsupporter


that is quite true....it is quality....and it is original.

I'll agree that it's a quality badge... but how on earth does it qualify as original?

[kcscsupporter]

Originally posted by PezJunkie


I'll agree that it's a quality badge... but how on earth does it qualify as original?

i don't understand how you think it's unoriginal.

it didn't steal anyone else's (meaning, another football club) style, and it has personal meaning to the city of chicago.

[Wizardscharter]

Originally posted by kcscsupporter


i don't understand how you think it's unoriginal.

it didn't steal anyone else's (meaning, another football club) style, and it has personal meaning to the city of chicago.

I think what he meant was that Chicago's logo isn't anywhere near original. Every firefighter organization in history has the same badge with different words/letters in it.

[Wizardscharter]

Originally posted by jamesf24



The point is this: In non MLS markets, the only recognizable teams are DC United & Chicago, and their badge is the reason why.

KC's shield, or badge, or whatever you want to call it sucks. As does Colorado's.

Back to my story, if I still lived in KC, I would probably have bought the Wizards polo, but here, or in any non MLS market, no one, even soccer people, would associate with it.

The only way KC will attract those middle of the road fans, is by having great players on the national team, which we don't. Anyway, even if they keep the name, they should look at redesigning the "brand", as marketers would call it.

James

I don't agree with this entirely. You go to non-MLB markets and ask someone to describe the Royals' logo (or the Chiefs for that matter). I bet you get almost as many wrong answers.

I don't think the above is all wrong, but the truth is closer to media is generaly east coast, Chicago, and LA; 3 time champs and huge cities get more exposure; and KC will never be the focus of America's attention for anything positive.

Seriously, look at the line up of Soccer Saturday. Only two teams are on it as few as 3 times - KC and CLB.

Bottom line is that the best badge in the world sent from above by the marketing Gods sitting high on the Madison Ave. of Mount Olympus isn't going to spur worldwide attention on a team from KC.

[kcscsupporter]

Originally posted by wizardscharter


I think what he meant was that Chicago's logo isn't anywhere near original. Every firefighter organization in history has the same badge with different words/letters in it.

i thought that might be what he meant as well.

i understand that the firefighter's badge isn't original, but the concept of it representing the team is.

[BenC1357]

i'm glad we only had a week off between games. that way we can start talking about the FCC match today, and not silly convo's about a badge or uni.

My 2 cents...

We are stuck with it. I mean, it could be changed, but how are you going to build tradition if you change kits and badges and crests? I know, some think it looks a little gay, but its ours and I hope its here to stay. If we can go more than a few years with similar kits (blue home, white away) and not change too much, I think we are doing good. Its hard to gain recognition when the stuff being recognized changes. Is the badge the best? No, but I say keep it.

[dakotajoe]

Originally posted by BenC1357
i'm glad we only had a week off between games. that way we can start talking about the FCC match today, and not silly convo's about a badge or uni.

My 2 cents...

We are stuck with it. I mean, it could be changed, but how are you going to build tradition if you change kits and badges and crests? I know, some think it looks a little gay, but its ours and I hope its here to stay. If we can go more than a few years with similar kits (blue home, white away) and not change too much, I think we are doing good. Its hard to gain recognition when the stuff being recognized changes. Is the badge the best? No, but I say keep it.

"We are stuck with it." That's called a defeatist attitude. The uniform has VASTLY improved. The old one's were making laughing-stocks of the Wizards not only in soccer circles, but in other sport publications as well. Why be "stuck" with something that is poorly designed? They rebuild poorly designed cars, roads, revamp bad TV shows. Nothing wrong with change.

Why not a public contest sponsored by the team for the design of a new badge. Winner gets season tickets for two, KC gets a badge worthy of the 2000 MLS Cup champions.

As for tradition: the Wizards are only 7 years old. Younger if you considered the original name was the HORRID "Wiz". The unis changed for the better. Any complaint about that? Then why complain when some people, Wizard and non-Wizard alike, call the badge terrible. Change it!

[ojsgillt]

Honestly, there is nothing that we can do about it. If will make yourself feel better by e-mailing the front office, then do so, but be prepared for nothing to change.

[BenC1357]

I'm saying.....I dont think its that bad. It isnt a defeatist attitude. Its saying that there could be better, but I'm not worried about it because its not all that bad. The original jerseys were bad, but I'd like to have something that stays from the begining, and I hope its the badge.

[jamesf24]

Originally posted by BenC1357
I'm saying.....I dont think its that bad. It isnt a defeatist attitude. Its saying that there could be better, but I'm not worried about it because its not all that bad. The original jerseys were bad, but I'd like to have something that stays from the begining, and I hope its the badge.

When it is causing someone like me, who loves the Wizards more than any other team, to not buy something with the "Wizards" logo. Then that's bad. I did buy my wife the new spaghetti string tank top though.

Anyway, in this case, I bought a polo with the MLS logo. But I may have purchased stuff in the past, where instead I bought a Liverpool something instead. I would much rather spend my money on MLS, but I have to like the stuff. If I lived in KC, it might be different, but I don't, and it's struggling for recognition among many top players here. The good young players here are more familiar with college soccer than MLS, other than say, DC or Chicago. They don't identify with the Wizards, and I belive the logo has a lot to do with that.

James

[ojsgillt]

I think that media coverage has to do more with the recognition of MLS and its associated teams than a stupid little logo. Now if that logo was extremly out of the ordinary, say stark naked women on it then it might gain the recognition of people who have no clue about MLS. Or if it all of a sudden became a fad, like the Raiders logo did. Maybe we could pay some rap artists to wear it in their videos, that is how those things start anyway.

If you don't want to buy the wizards logo, fine buy the MLS one it all goes into the same pot anyway.

[dakotajoe]

Originally posted by ojsgillt
Honestly, there is nothing that we can do about it. If will make yourself feel better by e-mailing the front office, then do so, but be prepared for nothing to change.

Who changed the unis and why? An email campaign is not a bad idea, especially when it's tied into a promotion such as free season tickets for the winning badge. Does anyone here know any Wizard front office people?