There are have been a lot of big changes for the Columbus Crew over the past few years.
From new ownership, to a new stadium, being a fan of the first MLS team has certainly had its ups and downs. This year looks to be keeping up that tradition as a leaked logo and potential name change made its way around the internet this weekend.
The Columbus Crew’s current logo is considered one of the best in all of MLS (this site ranked it #1), but if this leaked rebrand is real that’s definitely going to change.
The rebrand also includes a name change. Columbus Crew SC will be dropping the “Crew” from their official name, transitioning to Columbus SC.
This is not a trial ballon, this is a rollout, possibly as early as Tuesday. The team says the leaked logo is authentic. They say the ‘C’ stands for Crew. pic.twitter.com/0KN0ybbuBs
— Clay Hall (@claywsyx6) May 9, 2021
After the leaked images made their rounds, Columbus Crew SC put out a statement. “Recently, images have surfaced depicting a new logo for Columbus Crew SC,” reads the statement. “The Crew and the Black and Gold remain at our core, and we continue to embrace and respect our heritage while modernizing our marks as our club and the city of Columbus evolve. We look forward to revealing those in their entirety in the near future.”
Fans were immediately disappointed, which shouldn’t surprise anyone considering the led an entire movement called “Save the Crew”.
“The Nordecke is deeply saddened by the decision to rebrand the club, in the process stripping of its name and heritage,” shared The Nordecke on social media. “The Nordecke would also like to make clear that neither the Nordecke nor any Crew Supporters Group was involved at any time with the conception, development, or design of this rebrand.”
Former Crew players weren’t too happy with the changes either. Justin Meram shared his displeasure with dropping the Crew from the team’s name on Twitter.
This makes 0.0000 sense. The history of the club is what’s most important, not another rebrand. Everyone in Columbus loves the Columbus CREW 👊🏼 🟡⚫️ https://t.co/zsCBJP23sD
— Justin Meram (@JustinMeram) May 9, 2021
As discussion grew on social media Columbus Crew SC put out a video showing a glimpse of the new logo, confirming the direction the rebranding is headed in.
Forever Columbus’ club.
Forever known as The Crew.
#Crew96 pic.twitter.com/HMVdc3X9Fp— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) May 9, 2021
Club leadership told Columbus Business First that the name change is more of a formality and encouraged fans to call the team whatever they’d like.
“What we’re saying is, ‘Call us the Crew, call us Columbus Soccer Club,’” said Crew General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “We’re all of those things and it’s interchangeable.”
