Sports branding design speak

[nas1787]

I saw this explanation of the new Reno USL club's wordmark the other day, and it got me thinking: what are your favourite hilarious/ridiculous/over-the-top examples of design speak in sports branding?

 

 

 

[NOppenheimer]

The spark is fitting, because:

"Reno is so close to Hell, you can see Sparks."

[IceCap]

"The brighter orange represents the passion of the Cleveland Dawg Pound. 

The brown remains unchanged."

[Morgan33]

"The shoulder patches have been removed to continue the simplicity and timelessness found throughout elements of both sweaters.  The uniforms also have a surprise in store. Using what Reebok refers to as a “hanger effect”, the warning flag pattern once adorning the base of the jerseys lives on in the neckline of the new designs."

[Cosmic]

The contrast stitching on the Browns jerseys represents the craftsmanship of Cleveland.

[hettinger_rl]

[nas1787]

God those Clippers ones are awful

[DC in Da House w/o a Doubt]

I know this isn't the Concepts board, but forgive me, I just have to post my newest concept for an additional Clippers alternate

 

 

 

Which of course, is also based on the shape of a basketball court.  Consider it a nod to their latest rebrand

 

Spoiler

 

 

[OnWis97]

The way you work the "C" in with the three-point line is brilliant!

 

"The L, wrapping around the baseline and the sideline, represents the Clippers' strive to keep the ball from going out-of-bounds for a change in position.  The A provides symmetry and balance for a logo representing a well-balanced team.  The C, which covers the three-point line, represents the organization's desire to hit more three-pointers because three is more than two."

 

I think the logo could be well-served by some serifs though.  Three serifs on the "A" would form more of the sidelines.  Two on the "C" could add to the baseline.  The "L" is tricky, though, so maybe you went in the right direction here.

[Sport]

Wolf Grey. 

[OnWis97]

For someone not at all connected to the biz, I would probably not ace a quiz of real vs. phony design branding statements.  For example, Ice Cap's Browns one seems made up to me.  But I think it's actually real.  The Clippers ones (also real, I suspect, based on where the link comes from) would also be a tough call for me.

 

Retroactive Design Speak could be fun.  I am not the best person to do this, which is why I never participated in the Victorian English rap lyrics thread.

 

A's: "The elephant represents how the Athletics never forget; learning from their mistakes and coming into the next game all that much more prepared.  Plus if you throw at us, you could get one in the ear a couple a' years down the road.  The Athletics don't forget."

 

Buccaneers: "The orange and red represent the magnificent sunsets in the Gulf of Mexico."

 

Penguins: "The skating penguin represents the determination that this team will show game in and game out while the triangle represents the coming together of the Allegheny and Monaongahlea Rivers."

(Actually, maybe that triangle part is true?)

 

Rams: "The horns on the helmet represents that the team is called the Rams.  Seriously, don't try to read too much into it."

[Sport]

The best one would have to be Jacksonville trying to rationalize their awful football helmet and then still not making any sense. "The fade represents a jaguar emerging from the shadows" (paraphrasing) Okay then why is the front black with the logo going into it?

[eRay]

37 minutes ago, McCarthy said:

The best one would have to be Jacksonville trying to rationalize their awful football helmet and then still not making any sense. "The fade represents a jaguar emerging from the shadows" (paraphrasing) Okay then why is the front black with the logo going into it?

I always kind of thought they meant that the player, while wearing the helmet, could face you while in the dark shadows and blend right in. Therefore, the helmet keeps them stealthy like a panther. You'll have to pretend that a white chinstrap blends into the darkness though.

[BrandMooreArt]

6 hours ago, McCarthy said:

The best one would have to be Jacksonville trying to rationalize their awful football helmet and then still not making any sense. "The fade represents a jaguar emerging from the shadows" (paraphrasing) Okay then why is the front black with the logo going into it?

"hunting from the shadows". its my all time favorite and is the chapter title of the Nike/NFL portion of that uniform book im writing

[Cosmic]

Not design speak, but I think I'll remember #Fire for the rest of my life.  The surprise that something was coming, coupled with the giant turd they turned out to be made that whole affair extremely memorable.

 

 

 

[Crabcake]

This entire thread was amazing and made me laugh at so many different points. Please check it out if you haven't already: 

 

[JESSEDIEBOLT]

This is how you sell branding though. If a company is looking to secure a finalize a project with a franchise, they have to come in a SELL it. Whoever sold the Clippers organization on the branding obviously did a great job. They didn't sell the aesthetics they sold the story behind it (unfortunately it still looks bad imo but the designers sold the design, so props to them).

[Bmac]

Nothing beats this:

 

 

That's the actual infographic from the team, by the way.

[wildwing64]

From the Anaheim Ducks rebrand in 2006:

"In shaping the new design, the focus was sharpened to create an overall image that expressed excitement, speed and a competitive edge."

 

And from team owner Samueli himself:

“We think the new logo and jersey portray the same passion and energy our players and fans bring to the building every night.”

 

Ouch.

[Cujo]

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The butt

Blowing mud since 1967