Ted Leonsis: Half our fanbase prefer Wizards name to Bullets

[Rupert Murdoch]

Host: “Are you considering [going back to the Bullets], though?”

Leonsis: “Well, we have taken it under advisement. We’ve done a lot of research on that issue. You know, it’s a major re-design, and it honestly does take about two years if you were to change the name. And so what we elected to do in the short term was to change the look and the feel – which we did last season – of the uniforms and of our design, and go back to that red, white and blue. And I think for the time being, that’s all we’ll do. But yeah, I mean, I’m open to that. Many fans have suggested it. And I’ve just felt that it’s like a cheap thrill, to change the name back. You’ll get half of the people that would say, Yes! I’m so happy that you did that, but it would also activate another 50 percent of the fan base to say, How could you do that? Mr. Pollin and the family changed the name for all of the right reasons. And so with all that’s going on with the team, I thought it best just to kind of calm the waters and do nothing, and just focus on trying to rebuild the team and make the team a high-performing team.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc- ... d-wizards/

It looks like there's going to be no name change for the immediate future.

[Ruzious]

I'm not one who really cares so much about the name, but I'm pretty sure that less than 1% of the fan base would complain if he changed it back to the Bullets. If he really believes it's 50%, then he's more out of touch with the fan base than I thought he was.

[queridiculo]

Picture from the press conference?

[sfam]

I'm not one who really cares so much about the name, but I'm pretty sure that less than 1% of the fan base would complain if he changed it back to the Bullets. If he really believes it's 50%, then he's more out of touch with the fan base than I thought he was.

My son is 19 and has never known the Wizards as anything but the Wizards. I think there might be a generational divide on this issue. People my age who watched the Bullets win a championship of course want the name changed back. Probably the same for those in their 30s now. But if you'd never seen them as anything other than the Wizards, than Bullets as a name doesn't really mean much.

[miller31time]

I thought it best just to kind of calm the waters and do nothing

This doubles as Ted's philosophy on owning an NBA team.

[miller31time]

And I have yet, in my 24 years of living on this earth, to meet a single Wizards fan who preferred "Wizards" to "Bullets".

Ted should probably ask more people than his family when conducting these polls.

[montestewart]

Those who have only known them as the Wizards have known the team primarily as the Clippers of the East. Are they not like the lovable losing Mets? I'm sure I wouldn't mind Wizards so much if they were winning, but I'll bet the 50% that want the name changed want it more then the other 50% don't want it.

"Calm the waters and do nothing," is a great motto for the Wizards. Leonsis should be in politics, or he should write for the Weekly Standard, since his reasonably-toned nonsense is starting to remind me of William Kristol.

Ted should probably ask more people than his family when conducting these polls.

"I asked Ernie and he said, "Sure boss, calm the waters.'"

[hands11]

Host: “Are you considering [going back to the Bullets], though?”

Leonsis: “Well, we have taken it under advisement. We’ve done a lot of research on that issue. You know, it’s a major re-design, and it honestly does take about two years if you were to change the name. And so what we elected to do in the short term was to change the look and the feel – which we did last season – of the uniforms and of our design, and go back to that red, white and blue. And I think for the time being, that’s all we’ll do. But yeah, I mean, I’m open to that. Many fans have suggested it. And I’ve just felt that it’s like a cheap thrill, to change the name back. You’ll get half of the people that would say, Yes! I’m so happy that you did that, but it would also activate another 50 percent of the fan base to say, How could you do that? Mr. Pollin and the family changed the name for all of the right reasons. And so with all that’s going on with the team, I thought it best just to kind of calm the waters and do nothing, and just focus on trying to rebuild the team and make the team a high-performing team.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc- ... d-wizards/

It looks like there's going to be no name change for the immediate future.

Good. I like Wizards better anyway.

Move forward, not backward.

Now if they were going to change it to something like the Pelicans. That different.

[dangermouse]

Just please change the primary logo. That re-colour of the old logo is the aesthetic equivalent of stubbing your toe on the coffee table, every time i see it.

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

Host: “Are you considering [going back to the Bullets], though?”

Leonsis: “Well, we have taken it under advisement. We’ve done a lot of research on that issue. You know, it’s a major re-design, and it honestly does take about two years if you were to change the name. And so what we elected to do in the short term was to change the look and the feel – which we did last season – of the uniforms and of our design, and go back to that red, white and blue. And I think for the time being, that’s all we’ll do. But yeah, I mean, I’m open to that. Many fans have suggested it. And I’ve just felt that it’s like a cheap thrill, to change the name back. You’ll get half of the people that would say, Yes! I’m so happy that you did that, but it would also activate another 50 percent of the fan base to say, How could you do that? Mr. Pollin and the family changed the name for all of the right reasons. And so with all that’s going on with the team, I thought it best just to kind of calm the waters and do nothing, and just focus on trying to rebuild the team and make the team a high-performing team.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc- ... d-wizards/

[Knighthonor]

Host: “Are you considering [going back to the Bullets], though?”

Leonsis: “Well, we have taken it under advisement. We’ve done a lot of research on that issue. You know, it’s a major re-design, and it honestly does take about two years if you were to change the name. And so what we elected to do in the short term was to change the look and the feel – which we did last season – of the uniforms and of our design, and go back to that red, white and blue. And I think for the time being, that’s all we’ll do. But yeah, I mean, I’m open to that. Many fans have suggested it. And I’ve just felt that it’s like a cheap thrill, to change the name back. You’ll get half of the people that would say, Yes! I’m so happy that you did that, but it would also activate another 50 percent of the fan base to say, How could you do that? Mr. Pollin and the family changed the name for all of the right reasons. And so with all that’s going on with the team, I thought it best just to kind of calm the waters and do nothing, and just focus on trying to rebuild the team and make the team a high-performing team.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc- ... d-wizards/

It looks like there's going to be no name change for the immediate future.

Good. I like Wizards better anyway.

Move forward, not backward.

Now if they were going to change it to something like the Pelicans. That different.

Well since Wizard is a class from DnD, how about Paladins instead?

Imagine the team symbol being a Hammer, like the justice system. Kind of fits the DC area..

[nuposse04]

I can understand why they had to get rid of the Bullets name, but wizards is so lame... Alliteration is fine so long as its tolerable.

Warriors would be ideal, but those **** in california have that....Washington... War-birds? War-Eagles? I don't...something with War I suppose would be a bit more intimidating than Wizards.

[DMVleGeND]

I'm not one who really cares so much about the name, but I'm pretty sure that less than 1% of the fan base would complain if he changed it back to the Bullets. If he really believes it's 50%, then he's more out of touch with the fan base than I thought he was.

My son is 19 and has never known the Wizards as anything but the Wizards. I think there might be a generational divide on this issue. People my age who watched the Bullets win a championship of course want the name changed back. Probably the same for those in their 30s now. But if you'd never seen them as anything other than the Wizards, than Bullets as a name doesn't really mean much.

I'm a very young fan, but I still think 'Wizards' is a terrible name and would greatly prefer the Bullets, an iconic name IMO. 'Wizards' sounds corny and makes no sense.

[WizarDynasty]

yeah i think the name should be washington rottweillers.


the w is rottweillers really fits well with washington. I also think it captures the identity of the team and john wall.

much better than wizards or bullets.

[Ruzious]

yeah i think the name should be washington rottweillers.


the w is rottweillers really fits well with washington. I also think it captures the identity of the team and john wall.

much better than wizards or bullets.

True, but then people will bring up the old addage - Bullets don't kill people; rottweilers kill people.

[Floater]

Washington Wizards to Washington Bullets

Washington Redskins to Washington WeLoveTheIndiansSoWeChoseThisNameToNotOffendThem

Washington Nationals to Washington Monuments

Washington Capitals to Washington Michelle Kwans

Let's rename them all.

[TheBabyMaker]

Washington Bullets please.

[Knighthonor]

Washington Warlords

[fishercob]

How about the Washington 20-Sided Dice. Or maybe the Washington Virgins?

[Nivek]

How about:

Washington Clever