Clearing Up The Name Change Mystery?

the bit about the 18 months and penalty sounds made up. after all, there was no mention of it when the metrostars changed to red bull, or when houston 1836 changed to houston dynamo (or when san jose earthquakes changed to houston 1836 for that matter)

And if the penalty fee was all that was holding him back... the guy is a billionaire. i can't imagine that the penalty fee would be so large that he would wish to delay o even change his mind about such a big change. The name-change and then not probably happened because Arsenal said "woah woah, we are partering, but you can't steal our name!"

as for having the kits in time, they had the red bull kits in time, and the houston kits as well, with shorter notice than this.

 

I think the Metrostars gave advanced notice of their name change. And as for the Quakes -> Houston, technically Houston is an expansion team, so they needed to pick a name for their new team. 1836 was their first choice, but was rejected by the locals so they went with their second choice.

 

I have to wonder if a name change was ever seriously considered. But one of the numerous Euro articles did mention that this deal was announced "just days after the Arsenal were acquired" by some other Americans. Was this the wrench in the original announcement date? Did it also put the kee-bash on the name change?

I think there's more story here... go get 'em Dino!

G'Day...Ron

 

Arsenal has not been acquired by Americans. Liverpool was the most recent transaction of that type. (Following Man. Utd.- Glazer and Aston Villa - Lerner.) The Belfast paper's article appears to have been lifted from the Independent UK article (that's 'journalism' these days) that is now 2 days outdated. I think we've heard about as much of the story as we're going to. A new name might come up next year as a way to sell a whole second batch of shirts (third biggest racket in commerce just behind automobile repair, college books and cell phones -- okay fourth). ;>)

 

Yes.... but isn't 1836 different from Dynamo, hence change?

As for the Metrostars, did Red Bull buy them and wait 18 months before changing the name?

 

Although some reports from England have said that Kroenke has, or will buy into Arsenal (although not majority or managing shares)

 

Alan Pearce's article in the Denver Post this morning says that the Rapids' have kept their name for now. That sounds like he knows something that we don't. Looking at the article that started this thread makes me wonder if we are going to see the change sometime soon, as soon as the league thinks we aren't trying to steal the David Beckham thunder.

 

Hopefully they will come to their senses and keep Rapids.

 

Here is what Ives has to say on the subject:

 

Nike owns the image and name rights to Arsenal? interesting? Shouldn't Arsenal though have final say on all its business transactions?

 

Not if they signed an exclusive rights agreement

Ultimately they do have final say.....they can choose not to resign with Nike after the contract is up.

 

Like I needed another reason to hate Nike...

 

Not sure on the Red Bulls, but changing from 1836 to Dynamo wasn't actually a change. The team had never actually been 1836 except in the earliest promotional stuff and never played under the name. As I recall they were only 1836 for about 1 week before the locals killed it as offensive.

 

"Wenger admits to Colorado link but says takeover is not on cards"

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2009884,00.html

The dateline is today but parts of it are recycled e.g. the USA tour comments.

"Arsène Wenger has played down talk that a link-up with the Major League Soccer team Colorado Rapids will lead to a takeover of the club, saying that he has been assured by the Arsenal board the move is simply for marketing purposes and the development of young players."

""We develop a few partnerships sometimes with football schools and sometimes with clubs," Wenger said. "We are trying to extend our brand. That's why we are doing it. Unless I am completely naive, it is not a takeover. I have never heard about a possible takeover.""

 

you might want to thank nike for that one... arsenal colorado

i think i just threw up a little in my mouth.

 

I'm not a fan of a name change, but would Colorado have been able to go with the full name of Rocky Mountain Arsenal?

 

Well Colorado Arsenal would have been better, but I prefer the complete change to the halfway "Let's change the colors, again!" change that we got.

 

Not I.

 

Now that FO mucked up the name change (thankfully), I hope they stick with the Rapids name.