Suggestion regarding team nickname

Kot Matroskin · 15 Nov 2007, 12:32 PM

I've been reading some older threads regarding rebranding and other changes, and I have a thought.

Since the colors are fine and most people seem to like them, I don't think the Blue/White scheme should change. Which brings me to...

The name has been Kansas City Wizards for a while now, and as many people have noted, it would take quite an effort (not to mention a good alternative) to sell a complete rebranding, because most people are fairly satisfied with 'Wizards', or at least ambivalent.

On the other hand, it's kind of like a girlfriend you can't quite imagine spending your life with -- you never really commit to her, which is why rebranding talk keeps coming up every year. Lots of KC fans are just a little embarrassed by the connection with 1) The Wiz, and 2) Dorothy and Toto, and they are keeping their eyes open for "Ms. Right".

Plus, I detect a little bit of resentment that the fans had the name pushed on them without any choice in the matter.

So, here's my suggestion, without officially changing anything, why not just start calling them 'the Blues'? Most people like it, it fits, and would kind of provide the best of both worlds -- keeping the team history intact, while acting as a kind of practical separation with the embarrassing bits. Plus, it would be easy to replace "Wiz" in the Cauldron songs with "Blues".

What do you think?

kopiteinkc · 15 Nov 2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kot Matroskin

I've been reading some older threads regarding rebranding and other changes, and I have a thought.

Since the colors are fine and most people seem to like them, I don't think the Blue/White scheme should change. Which brings me to...

The name has been Kansas City Wizards for a while now, and as many people have noted, it would take quite an effort (not to mention a good alternative) to sell a complete rebranding, because most people are fairly satisfied with 'Wizards', or at least ambivalent.

On the other hand, it's kind of like a girlfriend you can't quite imagine spending your life with -- you never really commit to her, which is why rebranding talk keeps coming up every year. Lots of KC fans are just a little embarrassed by the connection with 1) The Wiz, and 2) Dorothy and Toto, and they are keeping their eyes open for "Ms. Right".

Plus, I detect a little bit of resentment that the fans had the name pushed on them without any choice in the matter.

So, here's my suggestion, without officially changing anything, why not just start calling them 'the Blues'? Most people like it, it fits, and would kind of provide the best of both worlds -- keeping the team history intact, while acting as a kind of practical separation with the embarrassing bits. Plus, it would be easy to replace "Wiz" in the Cauldron songs with "Blues".

What do you think?

I am probably one of the stronger proponents of Kansas City Blues and dumping "Wizards"

But two things:

1. I don't see it happening until we get into our new stadium -- 2010?

2. If you are gonna re-brand you have to do it completely and not in a half-hearted mild sort of way. Dump the old, in with the new.

So I am with you, but I think it is still 2-3 years down the road.

Kot Matroskin · 15 Nov 2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kopiteinkc

I am probably one of the stronger proponents of Kansas City Blues and dumping "Wizards"

But two things:

1. I don't see it happening until we get into our new stadium -- 2010?

2. If you are gonna re-brand you have to do it completely and not in a half-hearted mild sort of way. Dump the old, in with the new.

So I am with you, but I think it is still 2-3 years down the road.

Definitely, an official rebranding won't happen until the new stadium opens. That's not really what I'm saying, though. I'm not saying drop 'Wizards' completely, but to also call them 'Blues', at least among fans and in cheers/songs.

If anything, starting now will only help your cause if you're serious about wanting the name to change.

broder · 15 Nov 2007, 01:24 PM

My favorite color is blue, and I like the blue the Wizards wear. But I detest the name Kansas City Blues (but it could grow on me). I'm not sure why. I wouldn't mind if the team was just called Kansas City. No FC, SC, or any moniker, just Kansas City. I also wouldn't mind keeping the Wizards name, just getting a new logo, since rebranding increases the chances of getting a euro-poseur or a stupid name.

toritoritorrence · 15 Nov 2007, 01:33 PM

i also wouldn't mind if we were just 'kansas city'

plus the whole 'blues' thing is a nickname all over the world in football. chelsea, the france national team, ipswich...

kuhnscoot · 15 Nov 2007, 01:36 PM

I think calling the team just Kansas City is the worst of all the stupid Euro-poser wannabe names, even worse then just Kansas City FC. that's the name of the city, not the name of a team. Manchester is not called Manchester City, Birmingham is not called Birmingham City, those are completely different from Kansas City.

Just say no to just calling the team Kansas City.

I'd love the Blues.

vividox · 15 Nov 2007, 02:05 PM

I also detest the name Kansas City Blues. Not a fan of Kansas City or Kansas City FC/SC either. Kansas City Wizards is fine for me, but a logo change around 2010 would be wonderful.

I say Kansas City Wizards is just 'fine' with me because I've never liked anything else more than that. I'm not a fan of any type of "Blues" branding, and we can't exactly name our team the Kansas City Fountains can we? Kansas City was the gateway to the West though, I suppose something like the Kansas City Explorers wouldn't be too bad. However I still prefer the current branding over that.

I don't think this thread really has that much merit though, the owners have repeatedly said they didn't want to change the name.

kuhnscoot · 15 Nov 2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vividox

Kansas City was the gateway to the West though, I suppose something like the Kansas City Explorers wouldn't be too bad. However I still prefer the current branding over that.