The Creation of a Team The Creation of a Team Name or MascotName or Mascot

When Geographics, When Geographics, Psychographics, AndPsychographics, And

Business CollideBusiness Collide

Geographic AssociationsGeographic Associations

Some team names are directly associated Some team names are directly associated with a long standing feature of the area.with a long standing feature of the area.

This is a very common way to connect This is a very common way to connect with local fans.with local fans.

Geographic ExamplesGeographic Examples Miami HeatMiami Heat Indianapolis PacersIndianapolis Pacers Chicago BullsChicago Bulls Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonics Denver NuggetsDenver Nuggets Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers San Antonio SpursSan Antonio Spurs Detroit PistonsDetroit Pistons Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins

New England PatriotsNew England Patriots Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies Houston Rockets & Houston Rockets &

AstrosAstros

Geographical AnomaliesGeographical Anomalies

Many times a team’s name can be linked Many times a team’s name can be linked to the area it came fromto the area it came from

However, sometimes the name seems to However, sometimes the name seems to imply a different location altogetherimply a different location altogether

Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis Colts Question: I know car racing is big in Question: I know car racing is big in

Indianapolis, but is horse racing big too?Indianapolis, but is horse racing big too?

Answer: No, but it was big in Baltimore around Answer: No, but it was big in Baltimore around the time the Colts came into existence.the time the Colts came into existence.

Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers Question: You would be hard Question: You would be hard

pressed to find a lake within 50 pressed to find a lake within 50 miles of Staple Center, so why miles of Staple Center, so why are they the Lakers?are they the Lakers?

Answer: They used to be the Answer: They used to be the Minneapolis Lakers. Minnesota Minneapolis Lakers. Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes.is the land of 10,000 lakes.

Utah JazzUtah Jazz Question: What do Jazz and Utah Question: What do Jazz and Utah

have in common?have in common?

Answer: Nothing, they used to be the Answer: Nothing, they used to be the New Orleans Jazz. Now New Orleans New Orleans Jazz. Now New Orleans has the Hornets, which aren’t actually has the Hornets, which aren’t actually indigenous to the region. Hornets are indigenous to the region. Hornets are much more prevalent in Charlotte, much more prevalent in Charlotte, which is where the team was initially which is where the team was initially formed.formed.

Memphis GrizzliesMemphis Grizzlies Question: Are there a Question: Are there a

lot of Grizzlies in lot of Grizzlies in Memphis?Memphis?

Answer: Not nearly Answer: Not nearly as many as near as many as near Vancouver, which is Vancouver, which is where the team once where the team once played.played.

New York andNew York andSan Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants

Question: Why do two teams share a name, Question: Why do two teams share a name, but not a city?but not a city?

Answer: They used to. They both used to be Answer: They used to. They both used to be from New York.from New York.

St. Louis and Arizona CardinalsSt. Louis and Arizona Cardinals Question: Is this the same as the Giants?Question: Is this the same as the Giants?

Answer: Yes, the Cardinal football team used to Answer: Yes, the Cardinal football team used to be located in St. Louis. Now the Rams are there, be located in St. Louis. Now the Rams are there, although they came via Los Angeles and although they came via Los Angeles and Cleveland.Cleveland.

Psychographic ExplanationsPsychographic Explanations

Sometimes a mascot is picked to elicit a Sometimes a mascot is picked to elicit a particular emotion or reaction from fansparticular emotion or reaction from fans

A mascot can also be used to tie into A mascot can also be used to tie into popular culturepopular culture

Names Associated With BattleNames Associated With Battle

Historical or mythical links lead to mascots Historical or mythical links lead to mascots like the Titans, the Giants, the Trojans, the like the Titans, the Giants, the Trojans, the Warriors, the Buccaneers, the Pirates, the Warriors, the Buccaneers, the Pirates, the Vikings, the Cavaliers, the Kings, the Vikings, the Cavaliers, the Kings, the Mavericks, and the Yankees.Mavericks, and the Yankees.

This can also relate to Native American This can also relate to Native American tribes which were associated as savage, tribes which were associated as savage, such as the Indians, the Braves, the such as the Indians, the Braves, the Chiefs, and the Redskins.Chiefs, and the Redskins.

Names Associated Names Associated With Wild AnimalsWith Wild Animals

Many high schools, colleges, and Many high schools, colleges, and professional teams have dangerous wild professional teams have dangerous wild animals as mascots, such as the animals as mascots, such as the Wolverines, the Badgers, the Bears, the Wolverines, the Badgers, the Bears, the Tigers, the Lions, the Ravens, the Eagles, Tigers, the Lions, the Ravens, the Eagles, the Jaguars, and, of course, the Gators.the Jaguars, and, of course, the Gators.

Then, there are schools like the Omaha Then, there are schools like the Omaha Benson Bunnies…see the difference.Benson Bunnies…see the difference.

Toronto RaptorsToronto Raptors Question: Are there a lot of Question: Are there a lot of

dinosaur bones found around dinosaur bones found around Toronto?Toronto?

Answer: Yes, but the name owes Answer: Yes, but the name owes a lot more to the movie Jurassic a lot more to the movie Jurassic Park, which created public Park, which created public awareness of Raptors as ferocious awareness of Raptors as ferocious dinosaurs just prior to the creation dinosaurs just prior to the creation of the team.of the team.

Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills

Question: Are there a lot of ducks in Question: Are there a lot of ducks in Buffalo?Buffalo?

Answer: Despite having Bills and Wings in Answer: Despite having Bills and Wings in Buffalo, the Buffalo Bills are named after a Buffalo, the Buffalo Bills are named after a figure in popular culture, Buffalo Bill Cody, figure in popular culture, Buffalo Bill Cody, not a bird of any kind.not a bird of any kind.

Orlando MagicOrlando Magic

Question: Is Orlando the home of David Question: Is Orlando the home of David Copperfield?Copperfield?

Answer: Actually, it is home of Disney Answer: Actually, it is home of Disney World, otherwise known as the Magic World, otherwise known as the Magic Kingdom. This is partially geographics Kingdom. This is partially geographics also.also.

Now it’s your turnNow it’s your turn

Yesterday you chose a destination for your Yesterday you chose a destination for your sports franchise. Today you will choose a sports franchise. Today you will choose a team name / mascot.team name / mascot.

Brainstorm 5-10 ideas of possible Brainstorm 5-10 ideas of possible mascots. Share them with neighbors to mascots. Share them with neighbors to gauge opinions. Pick your favorite.gauge opinions. Pick your favorite.

Create a logo for your franchise.Create a logo for your franchise.