I'm not talking about the 50th anniversary of the team's founding. Nobody cared about the Cosmos in 1970. I'm talking about the 50th anniversary of when it became a thing. When Pelé arrived. But your point is valid. Nobody is looking for a commemoration. But it's really hard to just park a trademark, service mark, or registered mark if you never use it. Parking it for a few years then quietly having some licensed gear out there for sale would be enough to keep the mark(s) active and enforceable.
All snark aside, I was a huge fan back in the day and would quite often make the trek out to Giants Stadium to watch them play. A lot of water passed under the bridge before the reboot, so while I was extremely interested in seeing what they were going to be all about, they were never going to be my #1 team. I kind of followed them during their Hofstra days, but it was obviously never going to be magic like it was in the Pele/Chinaglia/Beckenbauer days. Fast forward to 1/19/21 and I guess I'm like the majority of people when I say I really couldn't care less about the Cosmos one way or another. TBH though (snark back on), due to their obnoxious, delusional, brain dead following I'll never pass up the opportunity to take a cheap shot at the team or stop reveling in the misery of their fans (all 36 of them).
The snark was grating, like Trumpite level delusional. I would get into pissing contest with fans because I considered myself a fan of both NYCFC and the Cosmos ( they don't play in the same league and only the occasional us open game would conflict my loyalties). I warned them about the suspect owners and was critical of the Raul signing ( waste of money considering an on loan Leo Fernandes was just as productive). I turned out to be right on almost everything and yet I wasn't a "fan" because I didn't drink the Kool aid. Loving something means you have to be critical sometimes for the betterment of the team. (Don't get me started on NYCFC's transfer policies or lack thereof).
Funny story, the guy who sits next to me at the NYCFC games was one of the original Borough boys (which were mostly disenfranchised Metro stars fans). They had a meeting with MLS about bringing a team to NYC proper and when asked what team name they would prefer ideal for the team they decided in New York City Football Club. I told my friend he was full of it but he swears irs true. [emoji16]
I am not saying The Cosmos name is as popular today as it once was. Of course its kind of difficult to following a name without a team. Still looking at memories and the posts of fans on Facebook regarding the NASL , I see all kinds of stories from those days not only from the NY Cosmos but from all across the country and around the world about the entire league. Obviously, the the league brought a lasting legacy. Just because new NASL Cosmos name didn't last doesn't mean it wouldn't be successful with a new MLS club. What made the Cosmos though were their great players: Pele, Chinaglia, Beckenbauer, Neeskens, Alberto, Romero,Cabanas, Birkenmeier,Rijsbergen,Bogicevic,Tueart,Marinho and Eskandarian. Watching those guys once, made anyone become a soccer fan. If a new Cosmos came around for example, signing a handful of those big time superstars, I'm sure fans would support a new rebrand.
You seem to be missing the point that MLS's prime demographic is Millennials and GenZ, neither of which were alive when those players played for the Cosmos. Even a hefty chunk of GenX weren't old enough to remember those players on the Cosmos. That has nothing to do with the Cosmos brand and everything to do with bringing in superstars.. You could call the team practically anything, but if you have Messi and/or Ronaldo on the team, people will show up, just like they did when Beckham joined the league...
Dude you're wrong. You're just totally wrong. I'm not going to pretend to know what went on with the fans of the Sounders, Timbers, 'Quakes etc., but I'm telling you no one in the NYC metro area gives a fat rats ass about the Cosmos brand. No one. Neither NYCFC or the Red Bulls are going to rebrand and if the impossible happens and a 3rd team comes to the area the Cosmos name isn't going to move the needle in any direction.
Sure but that is what made the Cosmos though. No one knew any of their players in their first championship season of 1972. Many fans could name players in Pele's last game in 1977 as well as their Soccer Bowls of 1978 and 80. The Messi brand abroad anyway would still resonate more with a Cosmos name than say another United. You had thousands of people flocking the streets of Naples and Buenos Aires paying their respects to a guy named Maradona. Many of those fans were under 40 years of age and never saw him play. Napoli just renamed their stadium after him and he hasn't played there in 30 years. Same with George Best when he died who had the airport named after him. Therefore , there is importance in a name. Of course there is or there could be. Never really meant they would bring in a third team. Just saying why is there such interest in the name and logo if not to revive it.
Let's put it this way, if it wasn't for the Cosmos and those NASL pioneers and halcyon days, no one on this board would be here or even care about the sport of soccer in this country.
That's true. NASL 1.0, warts and all, really transcended the "modern" age of American soccer as we know it today. That league also made innovative decisions like putting names of players in the back of the jerseys alongside squad numbers.
Lamar Hunt for example , was one of the initial owners in MLS and he came from the old league. Alan Rothenberg who came up with the concept of the league, also owned the Los Angeles Wolves and LA Aztecs I believe. Sadly, the only thing the NEW NASL recaptured from the olden days was the Cosmos name and the ball. I liked the ball.
Just what role would you see "a handful of those big time superstars" filling for "a new rebrand" of the Cosmos? Four of the 13 are deceased. The average age of the remaining nine is 70 years old. I suppose if the various staff positions were divvied up - manager, three or four assistant coaches (those dedicated to the goalkeepers, fitness and conditioning, etc.), a couple of scouts, a physiotherapist, and a technical director - gainful employment could be found for the lot of them. Or, the new Cosmos could go lighter on the staff side and bring the superstars on as "ambassadors". The various editions of the Cosmos have always loved trotting out the "ambassador" title. Truth be told, the Cosmos could give the U.S. State Department a run for its money when it comes to employing "ambassadors".
You don’t understand. Those guys are gone. I’m saying if a new Cosmos team signed the equivalent of those types of players today, of course they would be a true super club. That was something the old Cosmos were. This was a club team that lost to the World Cup champion Argentina only 1-0 a year after they won the World Cup trophy. From 1976-1983/84, they were one of the best club teams in the world.
But what everyone else is saying....if NY United Sc launched and signed a bunch of mega stars and built a stadium, they would be huge. The Cosmos brand doesn't have the pull, the stars and the money do. If NYCFC launched as the Cosmos, it would jave had zero impact on where they are now.
Didn't realize the NYCFC name playing in Yankee stadium was all that powerful. As for zero Impact, they just rebranded to Club de Foot Montréal...
And the rebrand will have no positive Impact on the team because the problem with Montreal isn’t the name of the team, it’s the POS owner..
Saputo is another mafioso. He is having problems with Bologna in Italy as well. Rocco Commisso is a little more honest....
Given the demographics of the NYC area I figure that about 10% of metro area are old enough to remember the Cosmos. The Timbers, Sounders, Whitecaps and Earthquakes all had at least one life between NASL and MLS, the Cosmos were radio silent for two and a half decades.
Your missing the point. Branding is far less relevant for an upstart Soccer franchise than you seem to think. Whether NYCFC launched as is or with the Cosmos brand, all things being equal, they would be right where they are now. They launched with a lot of buzz, it's tapered off.