American Basketball League - (2/40) Keystones Update Process: HELP NEEDED!

[LAWeaver]

Hello, and welcome to Part 2 in my 5-part sports concept series. Part 1 was the United Football Association. The story for the National Association of Professional Sporting Leagues (or NAoPSL for short) can be found HERE (Note: soccer teams in the link are outdated. I changed them all recently). As I am wrapping up the UFA, I figured I could get a head start on this series. If you'd like to see the 3 future series, click on the link above. Here is the brief history of the ABL:

The ABL, like it's sister leagues, began in 1978 with 8 teams and expanded at the same time as its sister leagues as well. first 8 teams were (and still are) located in Boston, NYC, Chicago, New Orleans, Memphis, Oakland, LA, and Detroit. The league is setup as such:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Northeast

Boston Leprechauns

Buffalo Braves

Manhattan Magic

Brooklyn Jam

New York Nets

Atlantic

Baltimore Blackbirds

New Jersey Guardians

Washington Nationals

Philadelphia Freedom

Pittsburgh Keystones

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Pacific

Seattle Sonics

San Diego Conquistadors

Los Angeles Royals

Oakland Bayhawks

San Francisco Warriors

American

Oklahoma City Oilers

Phoenix Firebirds

San Antonio Roadrunners

Denver Altitude

Las Vegas Gamblers

NORTHERN CONFERENCE

Midwest

Indianapolis Racers

Chicago Express

Detroit Mustangs

Columbus Blackjacks

Louisville Saints

Central

Minnesota Lakers

St. Louis Archers

Milwaukee Whitetails

Quad Cities Tornadoes

Kansas City Monarchs

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

Coastal

Tampa Bay Tropics

Miami Marauders

Orlando Scorchers

Charlotte Buzz

Atlanta Talons

Southeast

Memphis Blues

New Orleans Jazz

Arkansas Diamonds

Nashville Tunes

Dallas Lonestars

______________________________________________

Obviously some of these names are recycled from former real-life teams. If you'd like to recommend a name, please go ahead, but mind you that I have 200 teams over 5 sports , so some suggestions may already be taken. I want to try and have no two teams with the same name.

Without further ado, here is the first logo, the logo for the Pittsburgh Keystones:

I took elements from the city flag by putting the light blue checkers on a keystone.This adds to the traditional Pittsburgh Black-and-Gold color scheme almost team in PITT seams to have.

The history will be added later. Logos for every team will be posted first followed by their uniforms. As always, C+C is always welcomed!

[sportslover12345]

Nice logo. I particularly enjoy the blue checkers from the city flag, which will make it different from other pittsburgh teams. Good job

[Real1]

I like the idea of this. Creating a league to practice sports branding. Good color scheme.

[LAWeaver]

Thanks guys.

Just a quick heads up for all histories: Every league expanded at the same time: Each league began in 1978 with expansions in '82, '91, '96, '04, & 2014. With that in mind, here is the Keystone's history:

Keystones History:

The Pittsburgh Keystones began play in 2004. Since coming into the American Basketball League, the team has been less than stellar, missing out on the playoffs each season. The team entered the league as the Keystone State Steelers, but after 9 seasons, the fanbase was unhappy, so the team switched to the Pittsburgh Colonels. Unfortunately, the team suffered their worst season in franchise history after switching to the Colonels nickname. So, the team switched once again to their current name. Things are looking up for the Keystones as they are dark horse favorites to make the playoffs.

Here is the next team, the Las Vegas Gamblers!

Logo:

History:

The Gamblers were founded in 1991. Since entering the ABL, the team has yet to win a Championship in the Tournament of Champions (league playoffs). unlike their early years where the team was a threat to win the WEST every season (though they never did), the team has struggled greatly as they claimed a Top-5 Draft pick last season and are one of the worst teams in the league again this season. The team is looking to next season as they try to regroup and return to their glory days next year.

[LAWeaver]

Bump for Vegas. I have changed the names of some teams (also in the First post):

- Ohio Attack is now the Columbus Blackjacks (a Hollywood Casino was recently built within the past 2-3 years)

- Nashville Sounders are now the Nashville Tunes

- Houston Apollos are now the Arkansas Diamonds (Saving the Houston name for a soccer team)

- Georgia Thrashers are now the Atlanta Talons

- Kansas City Arrowheads are now the KC Monarchs (thinking about moving them)

- Texas Lonestars are now the Dallas Lonestars

[LAWeaver]

Bump again. Anyone?

[Whittier S]

Too much going on in the logos. Imagine what's lost if you shrink the logos down--though you don't have to imagine, you can just do it in your graphics program. Generally speaking, a logo should be able to stand on its own without a wordmark (there are exceptions to the rule, but there are usually historical reasons, and then there are those who use the wordmark in the logo even when it doesn't work).

[LAWeaver]

Too much going on in the logos. Imagine what's lost if you shrink the logos down--though you don't have to imagine, you can just do it in your graphics program. Generally speaking, a logo should be able to stand on its own without a wordmark (there are exceptions to the rule, but there are usually historical reasons, and then there are those who use the wordmark in the logo even when it doesn't work).

Thanks for the feedback! I have a couple ideas in mind that may work. I'm on my phone now, so it will have to wait a bit til I get home.

[LAWeaver]

Ight, people. I'm in a bit of a slump, and I need help deciding on what to do with Pittsburgh. Here is where I'm at:

Obviously, it's not done. This is the same pattern that is used on the city's flag (black/yellow/black striping). And (as I just found out while making this) it also happens to be similar to the helmet of the Pittsburgh Steelers. What I want to do is to still add the checkerboard pattern but I'm afraid it would look too much like a soccer crest. If I have to, I'l switch the Soccer team (Hammers) with this one. Any thoughts on what I should do? I'd love to get some help on this. I'm open to any suggestions!

BTW, I think I will keep Vegas as is. Yes, it is a little busy, But I'm kinda liking it a little more every time I se it. The reason it has a wordmark on the middle of the chip is because a lot of the World Series of Poker chips & other chips have the words "World Series of Poker" or "poker" written on them.