For the first time since 2005, a Major League Soccer franchise rebranded themselves Wednesday as the Kansas City Wizards became Sporting Kansas City as an event at KC Live! at the Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City attended by over 1,000 people, including the first appearance of new Designated Player Omar Bravo of Mexico since he signed with the team in August.
Sporting Kansas City's mission will be "to connect Kansas City to the premier professional sports experience in the Midwest", which includes the opening in June 2011 of a $180 million, 18,500-seat new stadium currently under construction in Village West, an entertainment complex in Kansas City, KS, replacing two outdated locales for the franchise -- Arrowhead Stadium, home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, and CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, MO, where the team was played for the last few seasons.
The team will retain all of the history of the Wizards, including winning an MLS Cup and a Supporters Shield title in 2000 and winning the 2004 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament, by having a star placed above Sporting's new logo on players' jerseys.
"Our goal is to revolutionize the way a professional sports team connects with fans through premier experience and spaces," said team president Robb Heinemann in a statement Wednesday.
Sporting Kansas City also unveiled a new team crest Wednesday.
The new crest pays tribute to the former Wizards by keeping the upside-down teardrop shape, but adds new elements.
The word "Sporting" is written inside the shield beneath the words "Kansas City" and the crest's left side features 11 diagonal lines, symbolizing the starting 11-man lineups of the team's past, present and future, with six of the lnes in Sporting Blue color with the other five in Dark Indigo Blue lines, showing the team's new colors.
The right edge of the lines create the impression of the state line between Missouri and Kansas, two states that will continue to utilize.
Lastly, a stylized SC ligature takes up the right side of the crest linking the team to its parent organizaion, Sporting Club, while also using symbols from other elements -- the rod of the Greek god Ascelpius to promote health and fitness; the Hellenistic statue of Winged Victory, symbolizing strength and movement, and the Spanish architecture of the city's Country Club Plaza.
The team also announced new online profiles:
- Web: http://www.sportingkc.com/
- Blog: http://www.thesportingway.com/
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/SportingKC
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SportingKC
The last MLS franchise to change its original name was the Dallas Burn, who became FC Dallas after the 2004 season.
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