The Business of HockeyDiscuss the financial and business aspects of the NHL. Franchise sales, valuations, TV contracts, ratings, expansion, relocation, the CBA and work stoppage discussion goes here.
Well the original Seattle sounders team was done by a vote then we forced the issue with the MLS team to have a write in and picked Sounders.
The one issue with the vote is what the list of choices to pick from. If the owner wants a certain name they can intentionally put crappy names that no one likes on the list to go up against the one he wants.
Metropolitans is antiquated and confusing because of the team in NY. Another big problem is the inability to translate the name to a logo. How do you draw a "Metropolitan" without using a boring city skyline as the theme? I think this will a major consideration to whoever wants to bring the NHL to Seattle.
Totems is a unique name with local flavour and history that people were alive to see. It also has excellent potential for a logo.
I guess that why they didn't called that team in Winnipeg the Jets because that would be confusing them with a team in New York.
I guess that why they didn't called that team in Winnipeg the Jets because that would be confusing them with a team in New York.
They named the team in Winnipeg the Jets because it was already an extremely successful and very recognizable brand. There was no issue with it being confusing. The name itself is actually quite generic and does not have the connotation of NY NFL team for most people outside the big apple.
That is not the case with the name Mets. Metropolitans is about as unique a name as you can get in sports and it has a very strong association with NY. It's a very strong brand. The Seattle Metropolitans brand by contrast is nothing more than a footnote in a history book. For a team trying to forge a new identity it makes no sense to choose a name that has very little brand identity built in and competes with a huge brand that everyone knows.
Not that my opinion really matters, but Totems seems like a poor choice, especially for a hockey team. It sounds like something the MLS would use. Seattle Metropolitans sounds pretty good IMO
Not to mention:
NY/TEX Rangers
EDM/HOU Oilers
LA/SAC Kings
NY/SF Giants*
ARZ/STL Cardinals*
I think you may have just proved my point. With the exception of the Giants most of those franchises that share a name are very low on the branding totem pole. Personally I had never heard of most of those teams or knew they existed for most of their existence and I probably know most other team names from these leagues. The teams I did not recognize very well from your list include Tex, Hou, Sac, Ari. There are college teams from those towns that I recognize far more and I have almost no exposure to them.
Metropolitans wins hands down for me. Both name has Seattle history with it. Totems maybe more recent. But i agree that it sounds like a soccer name more than hockey imo or a minor league baseball team name
I think you may have just proved my point. With the exception of the Giants most of those franchises that share a name are very low on the branding totem pole. Personally I had never heard of most of those teams or knew they existed for most of their existence and I probably know most other team names from these leagues. The teams I did not recognize very well from your list include Tex, Hou, Sac, Ari. There are college teams from those towns that I recognize far more and I have almost no exposure to them.
I live in Tacoma and I'm a regular at the Thunderbirds games in Kent. I'm lucky in having a wife that's as big a hockey nut as I am: If in when we get an NHL team in Seattle she swears we're getting season tickets come hell or high water
Last edited by SaintPatrick33: 10-12-2012 at 11:37 AM.
I live in Tacoma and I'm a regular at the Thunderbirds games in Kent. I'm lucky in having a wife that's as big a hockey nut as I am: If in when we get an NHL team in Seattle she swears we're getting season tickets come hell or high water
It drives her nuts when I drive since I have a Caps bumper sticker on my car and run around in a Caps hat and a "Rock The Red" t-shirt Her SUV has Devils paraphernalia on it though
Last edited by SaintPatrick33: 10-12-2012 at 11:39 AM.
Seattle pilots is number one for me. Im gonna be an air traffic controller so I'm pretty biased though. I don't know how likely it would be as a name since the Jets came back, but I don't think I would even care once we get a team. Call them the fairy princesses for all I care, and I would still go.
Its just too bad that this is potentially 2-3 years away. I have lived in Auburn for over a year now, and am moving back to Tri-Cities next year after school. I definentely wouldve bought season tickets
Seattle pilots is number one for me. Im gonna be an air traffic controller so I'm pretty biased though. I don't know how likely it would be as a name since the Jets came back, but I don't think I would even care once we get a team. Call them the fairy princesses for all I care, and I would still go.
Its just too bad that this is potentially 2-3 years away. I have lived in Auburn for over a year now, and am moving back to Tri-Cities next year after school. I definentely wouldve bought season tickets
Hey, you still have the Americans.....Olie's got himself a hell of a team down there
Last edited by SaintPatrick33: 10-12-2012 at 11:39 AM.
Her SUV has Devils paraphernalia on it though 
