On Tuesday the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied the formerly Oakland Athletics request to trademark both “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics”.
Beginning play in 1901, the franchise has been known as the Athletics for their entire existence, which includes 53 years in Philadelphia, 12 years in Kansas City, and 57 years in Oakland. However, now the future of the teams namesake is in jeopardy with the newest development in their move to Las Vegas which is planned for 2028.
It is not often that franchises change names, however there is a larger chance that the A’s are forced to do so with their move to Las Vegas, leaving the door open for ownership to inevitably make the wrong decision with name choice.
Since 2000, various franchises have formed across sports or relocated:
2001 – Vancouver Grizzlies relocate becoming the Memphis Grizzlies
2002 – The Houston Texans join the NFL
2002 – Charlotte Hornets relocate beomcing the New Orleans Hornets
2002 – Charlotte Bobcats join the NBA as an expansion franchise
2005 – The Montreal Expos leave Canada, relocating and becoming the Washington Nationals
2008 – Seattle Supersonics move to Oklahoma, becoming the Oklahoma City Thunder
2011 – Atlanta Thrashers move to Canada, creating the “new” Winnipeg Jets franchise
2012 – Florida Marlins rebrand as the Miami Marlins
2013 – New Orleans Hornets rebrand as the New Orleans Pelicans
2016 & 2017 – Both the San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams relocate to Los Angeles, keeping their nicknames.
2017 – Vegas Golden Knights join the NHL
2019 – With tension of political correctness rising, the Washington Redskins change names to the Washington Football Team, announcing a new name is being worked on.
2020 – Oakland Raiders move to Las Vegas, keeping the Raider name
2021 – Seattle Kraken join the NHL
2022 – Facing backlash for political correctness as well, the Cleveland Indians rebrand as the Cleveland Guardians – The Washington Football Team officially chooses their new name – The Washington Commanders
2024 – Arizona Coyotes move to Salt Lake City, becoming the Utah Mammoth
Of these changes, the Mammoth and Kraken are the only ones who hit their rebrand/relocation out of the park. With the A’s on the cusp of having to change names – here are some possibilities.
What Ownership Will Choose = Something Stupid
Las Vegas Elephants – Decent
The Athletics logo since 1902 has been that of an elephant. The adoption of an elephant logo comes from an insult by an opposing manager calling the team a “white elephant”, and the franchise rolled with it. This would be the most logical move if ownership wanted to stay true to their roots/franchise.
Las Vegas Aviators – Semi-logical
The Aviators currently serve as the A’s Triple-A affiliate, meaning the team would have to purchase the naming rights. However, this could seamlessly move the “A” on the hat, and the name recognition in Las Vegas easily in the A’s favor.
They already have the hat… come on!
Las Vegas Green Sox – Stupid
Owners seem to love to choose stuff that no one in their right mind likes, and this would be a perfect play into that. The White Sox and Red Sox already have their colored footwear names, why not add to it.
What I would Decide From:
Las Vegas Outlaws
Las Vegas is a desert, drive 2 minutes away from the strip and you are in no-mans-land. A wild west theme could play perfectly into the region.
Las Vegas Dealers
While professional sports has attempted to stay away from gambling for decades and decades, in recent years the leagues have began to take a different approach. It was always thought that Las Vegas was off limits for professional sports due to gambling, however now that leagues have partnerships with sportsbooks and casinos, nothing is off the table. Dealers would be a perfect play into the Las Vegas lifestyle, while keeping it classy (not the Gamblers or High Rollers, etc.)
Dealer also plays into a pitcher “dealing”. Just a thought.
Las Vegas Jacks (Average at best)
Again, playing into the Vegas mindset. The Jacks could be a play on various things like Black Jack or just the Jack card in a deck. This is a little bit more on the unlikely side but still would be something that could be worked with.
Other Options:
Las Vegas Rollers
Las Vegas Scorpions
Las Vegas Vultures
Las Vegas Pack
We will see if the MLB is able to work something out with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, but I sure hope they have to change their name. New is fun. Especially when a team is literally just named after someone’s abilities.
Till Next Time,
Trevor
