The Atlanta Silverbacks formally announced today a long term joint venture with Traffic USA that will see the Atlanta Silverbacks Men's professional team join the North American Soccer League ("NASL") for the 2011 season. "After working five years to create a league that is team-owner controlled and managed we are thrilled that USSF has sanctioned the NASL and we are excited to get back to playing soccer again," said Boris Jerkunica, Chairman of the Atlanta Silverbacks. NASL was provisionally approved as the Division II men's outdoor professional soccer league by the Board of Directors of the United States Soccer Federation ("USSF") at its meeting in Toronto, Canada on November 21, 2010. The provisional nature of the sanctioning is consistent with the USSF's bylaws which require approval by the National Council of the USSF. This approval is expected to be forthcoming at the USSF Annual General Meeting in February, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada http://www.nasl.com/article/atlanta-silverbacks-to-play-in-nasl
So is it like "Traffic Sports presents the NASL" now? Their fingers are in Miami, Atlanta and maybe Carolina and Minnesota now.
This is great news! I moved here from Dallas a couple of years ago just in time for Atlanta to close up shop. Can't wait!
Let me know "if" ATL ever gets a MLS club,I only live 5 hrs from ATL. and not driving that far to watch minor leagues(anything at the time under MLS is minor leagues to me), and not driving that far to watch minor leagues . Lets just hope its not the Silverbacks. Cant stand the name. But hope its not Traffic USA-FC Atlanta either lol.
I'm with you on all counts 1) well 4 hours from Atlanta 2) Silverbacks is an awful name 3) Traffic USA - FC Atlanta - oh oh
What's up with the complaints about the Silverbacks name? It's original and relevant to the city. Much better than "Beat" or FC.
Could you elaborate how Silverbacks is relevant to Atlanta? It's original, sure, but I've always wondered what gorillas had to do with Atlanta, cause it makes no sense to me.
The long and the short of it is (in case you haven't checked out the Wikipedia article) this; the new owners of the "Soccer Team Formerly Known as the Ruckus" (or "A-League Atlanta") had some kind of marketing deal with Zoo Atlanta, and took on the name Silverbacks in honor of a silverback gorilla named Willie B. (named after William B. Hartsfield, the Atlanta mayor at the time), who was more or less the main attraction at the zoo for many years (died in 2000). That is how they became known as the Silverbacks.
There is also the Yerkes Primate Center, in conjunction with Emory University. It is one of the premier primate research facilities in the world, IIRC. And, Zoo Atlanta has a huge gorilla (and other primates) exhibit.
Really? I always thought it was one of the best soccer logos in the country. You knew two things right away when you looked at it: 1. It was a soccer team 2. It was an American team. Different strokes for different folks I guess...
I don't like the juvenile name, and I don't think we need a soccer ball in every team's logo. That was something the USL was pushing for, and probably still does. I guess the other part that I don't like - I don't like the gorilla. When I think of Atlanta I don't think about primates, the zoo, or that mayor. I think Sherman's March (probably not a great theme for a logo or a team name), I think traffic, heavy traffic. I haven't thought of a better name, but you could pick any animal and I would be happier. Atlanta Kings SC - No idea why Atlanta Jets Atlanta Pilots Atlanta Flyers Atlanta Coke Atlanta Tribe Kings of Atlanta Atlanta Nexus Atlanta Sprawl Big South FC This will piss off the non-Europhiles: 1.FC Atlanta FC Atlanta 2010 Peachtree FC - team color go orange and red (sort of like a peach)
The whole Sherman's march thing has already been done. Not sure why Calgary wanted to keep the name when the team moved, but so be it. The Lakers, Jazz, (North)Stars and Dodgers name is more fitting of their original cities than their new homes as well.
Brainstorming. Eventually a better name will come up. Heck the Pilots or Flyers has to be better and reminds me more of Atlanta than Silverbacks.
ah, I see. Maybe brainstorm secretly from now on? I really don't see anything wrong with keeping the Silverbacks name.
At least the Silverbacks name has a connection to Atlanta. Maybe there is something better if MLS comes to Atlanta, but I have read lots of posts with other possible names, and I haven't seen anything jump out. Maybe all the good names are taken? Given the original of the name, I am just glad we are not the Atlanta Willies!!
I also like the Thrashers name. Another good local name connection. But, most people probably don't know that.