Top 10 Worst Franchise Names

lorentrook · 06-29-2008, 01:41 AM

Top 10 Worst Franchise Names | Bleacher Report

Here is a fun top 10 list of the worst sports franchises names compiled by Ben Schwartz .

June 26, 2008

Here is the top 10 list of the worst names for franchises in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. I rank these based on the fact they have no real relationship to the city or state the team plays in. I also provide some fun and serious name alternatives. Give me a comment or even your own suggestions. (Also check out Sportsencyclopedia.com) I got my info from there about how some of the teams got their names.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)

Jaguars are a part of the "big cat" family. They are found in Central and South America. Last time I checked, Jacksonville was nowhere near the feline’s native habitat.

Possible Name Alternatives: Jacksonville Car Imports (only kidding) or Jacksonville Generals (In reference to former President and US General Andrew Jackson, who the city is named after)

09. Carolina Panthers (NFL)

Another big feline enters my list, the Panthers. Again, you have southern city with no traces of the black panthers living anywhere in site, except maybe the Charlotte Zoo.

Possible Name Alternatives: Carolina Royals (Charlotte was nicknamed "Queen City") or Carolina Swarm (in reference to the city also being nicknamed "The Hornets Nest"

08. Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)

Originally located in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Grizzlies made perfect sense. The dense forests of northwest Canada had plenty of big grizzlie bears. But earth to Memphis! No grizzlies are roaming around the town that Elvis built. Heck, there’s a better chance of seeing an Elvis sighting than a grizzly bear.

Possible Name Alternatives: Memphis Blues (City known for blues music) or Memphis Cargos (another just kidding, but this is in reference to the city having the busiest cargo airports in the nation)

07. New York Rangers (NHL)

A team located in the middle of Manhattan with no western style saloons in site. No cowboys roaming the streets of NYC (except the Naked Cowboy in Times Square). The team got the name from the Tex Rickard, who ran MSG, after people considered the new hockey team, "Tex's Rangers"

Possible Name Alternatives: New York Traffic (just kidding) or New York Liberty (make it a law that the WNBA Liberty needs to change their names to Lady Liberties) or even New York Rush (in reference to rush-hour traffic)

06. New Orleans Hornets (NBA)

When the team was located in Charlotte, North Carolina it made sense to be the Hornets. Charlotte's nickname was "The Hornet's Nest", but times have changed and they have moved to The Big Easy. While I'm sure hornets do fly around stinging people in Louisiana, the name of the team should resemble its city.

Possible Name Alternatives: NEW ORLEANS JAZZ (take it from Utah)

05. New Jersey Nets (NBA)

Even if they are my favorite basketball team, the name is just stupid. Named after a basketball NET? What's next...the NFL's Pig Skinners? The MLB's Bats or the NHL's Pucks? The team should resemble something that is not an object in the game but rather from where the team is from. Given that the team started on Long Island and then moved to New Jersey and will possibly be moving to Brooklyn in the near future...here are a few choices.

Possible Name Alternatives: New Jersey Meadowlanders (represents them playing at the Meadowlands) or Brooklyn Dodgers (to help cherish the borough's former pastime) or New Jersey Pollution (to represent that long strip of the Turnpike that smells vile.

04. Calgary Flames (NHL)

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, the Atlanta Flames were named after a famous fire that took over the city in 1917. The team then moved on to Calgary, Alberta. During the wintertime in Calgary, it's usually not flaming hot but decently cold. Therefore the name makes no sense.

Possible Name Alternatives: Calgary Ice (just the opposite of flames) or Calgary Mountaineers (located in Canadian Rockies)

03. Kansas City Royals (MLB)

They were named after the American Royal Livestock Show, which has taken place in Kansas City since 1899. That's enough for me to say about them...to be named after a livestock show?

Possible Name Alternatives: Kansas City And We're Not Even In Kansas (just kidding) or Kansas City Scouts (bringing back the NHL team name) or the Kansas City Fountains? (city is nicknamed "city of fountains")

02. Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)

The land of a thousand lakes...Minnesota....not Hollywood. What was the city of Angels thinking when Minnesota's Lakers were coming to town? The most famous lake in LA was probably built by Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion.

Possible Name Alternatives: Los Angeles Smog (just kidding) or Los Angeles Action (in reference to the movie phrase)

01. Utah Jazz (NBA)

Salt Lake City is not overwhelmed with jazz clubs left and right like New Orleans is, where the Jazz were originally from. Heck, outside Salt Lake, you'd be lucky to find anything civilized. It is one giant combo of desert, mountains, snow and one big city.

Possible Name Alternatives: Utah Salt Lakers (makes more sense than LA) or Utah Miners (big industry in Utah) or Utah Elks (state animal).

I guess there could be reason to include almost every team on this list.
Wash Redskins ?
NY Giants ?

Habsfan84 · 06-29-2008, 11:01 AM

Quote:

04. Calgary Flames (NHL)

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, the Atlanta Flames were named after a famous fire that took over the city in 1917. The team then moved on to Calgary, Alberta. During the wintertime in Calgary, it's usually not flaming hot but decently cold. Therefore the name makes no sense.

Possible Name Alternatives: Calgary Ice (just the opposite of flames) or Calgary Mountaineers (located in Canadian Rockies)

Makes sense to me since Calgary is all about oil and there are always Flames shooting up from the the burning of the oil on the refineries.

DR3AMR · 06-29-2008, 11:40 AM

Surprised the Devil Rays aren't in there.

Zen653 · 06-30-2008, 01:35 AM

This is a silly article. You can't just change the name of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most storied franchises in the history of all of sports. Nor can you do that to the New York Rangers, a significant NHL team, to the Kansas City Royals, a significant baseball team, or to the Utah Jazz, who have more of a history with that name than New Orleans does at this point. I also don't understand why a team name must reflect something about its home city. Who cares if there aren't any Jaguars in Jacksonville? The idea is that a Jaguar is a tough animal. Plus, there's some nice alliteration in the name Jacksonville Jaguars. Shouldn't that count for something?

The only proposed name change that I like is Memphis Blues. It rolls off the tongue well and makes sense as a local name. Also, the franchise is young and irrelevant enough to successfully pull off a name change.

lorentrook · 06-30-2008, 07:33 AM

Why take it so seriously? It's only a time waster, until the season starts.

Joe Strummer · 08-15-2008, 12:20 PM

I know it wasn't much of a serous thing but you of the teams you named are teams from the early 1900's (NYR are from 1926).
Names I Hate...
I agree, the the Grizzlies moved from Vancouver it should have become the Blues.
Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) a team from 2000 so there is no historical background of the name, the only reason for the name is because that bug is in Ohio. Named after a bug? Horrible, I like the jersey colours but they should have had a different name.
Montreal Matrix (ABA): What the hell?

TylerDurden · 08-24-2008, 11:46 PM

No mention yet of the Cincinnati Bengals? A lame replacement name for Tiger to go with those horrific uniforms?

Whats next? The Minnesota Norse? The St. Louis Ewes? The Pittsburgh Brigands?

Actually that last one isn't half bad.

06-29-2008, 01:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
lorentrook Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sophia,NC Posts: 502	Top 10 Worst Franchise Names Top 10 Worst Franchise Names \| Bleacher Report Here is a fun top 10 list of the worst sports franchises names compiled by Ben Schwartz . June 26, 2008 Here is the top 10 list of the worst names for franchises in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. I rank these based on the fact they have no real relationship to the city or state the team plays in. I also provide some fun and serious name alternatives. Give me a comment or even your own suggestions. (Also check out Sportsencyclopedia.com) I got my info from there about how some of the teams got their names. 10. Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) Jaguars are a part of the "big cat" family. They are found in Central and South America. Last time I checked, Jacksonville was nowhere near the feline’s native habitat. Possible Name Alternatives: Jacksonville Car Imports (only kidding) or Jacksonville Generals (In reference to former President and US General Andrew Jackson, who the city is named after) 09. Carolina Panthers (NFL) Another big feline enters my list, the Panthers. Again, you have southern city with no traces of the black panthers living anywhere in site, except maybe the Charlotte Zoo. Possible Name Alternatives: Carolina Royals (Charlotte was nicknamed "Queen City") or Carolina Swarm (in reference to the city also being nicknamed "The Hornets Nest" 08. Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) Originally located in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Grizzlies made perfect sense. The dense forests of northwest Canada had plenty of big grizzlie bears. But earth to Memphis! No grizzlies are roaming around the town that Elvis built. Heck, there’s a better chance of seeing an Elvis sighting than a grizzly bear. Possible Name Alternatives: Memphis Blues (City known for blues music) or Memphis Cargos (another just kidding, but this is in reference to the city having the busiest cargo airports in the nation) 07. New York Rangers (NHL) A team located in the middle of Manhattan with no western style saloons in site. No cowboys roaming the streets of NYC (except the Naked Cowboy in Times Square). The team got the name from the Tex Rickard, who ran MSG, after people considered the new hockey team, "Tex's Rangers" Possible Name Alternatives: New York Traffic (just kidding) or New York Liberty (make it a law that the WNBA Liberty needs to change their names to Lady Liberties) or even New York Rush (in reference to rush-hour traffic) 06. New Orleans Hornets (NBA) When the team was located in Charlotte, North Carolina it made sense to be the Hornets. Charlotte's nickname was "The Hornet's Nest", but times have changed and they have moved to The Big Easy. While I'm sure hornets do fly around stinging people in Louisiana, the name of the team should resemble its city. Possible Name Alternatives: NEW ORLEANS JAZZ (take it from Utah) 05. New Jersey Nets (NBA) Even if they are my favorite basketball team, the name is just stupid. Named after a basketball NET? What's next...the NFL's Pig Skinners? The MLB's Bats or the NHL's Pucks? The team should resemble something that is not an object in the game but rather from where the team is from. Given that the team started on Long Island and then moved to New Jersey and will possibly be moving to Brooklyn in the near future...here are a few choices. Possible Name Alternatives: New Jersey Meadowlanders (represents them playing at the Meadowlands) or Brooklyn Dodgers (to help cherish the borough's former pastime) or New Jersey Pollution (to represent that long strip of the Turnpike that smells vile. 04. Calgary Flames (NHL) Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, the Atlanta Flames were named after a famous fire that took over the city in 1917. The team then moved on to Calgary, Alberta. During the wintertime in Calgary, it's usually not flaming hot but decently cold. Therefore the name makes no sense. Possible Name Alternatives: Calgary Ice (just the opposite of flames) or Calgary Mountaineers (located in Canadian Rockies) 03. Kansas City Royals (MLB) They were named after the American Royal Livestock Show, which has taken place in Kansas City since 1899. That's enough for me to say about them...to be named after a livestock show? Possible Name Alternatives: Kansas City And We're Not Even In Kansas (just kidding) or Kansas City Scouts (bringing back the NHL team name) or the Kansas City Fountains? (city is nicknamed "city of fountains") 02. Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) The land of a thousand lakes...Minnesota....not Hollywood. What was the city of Angels thinking when Minnesota's Lakers were coming to town? The most famous lake in LA was probably built by Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion. Possible Name Alternatives: Los Angeles Smog (just kidding) or Los Angeles Action (in reference to the movie phrase) 01. Utah Jazz (NBA) Salt Lake City is not overwhelmed with jazz clubs left and right like New Orleans is, where the Jazz were originally from. Heck, outside Salt Lake, you'd be lucky to find anything civilized. It is one giant combo of desert, mountains, snow and one big city. Possible Name Alternatives: Utah Salt Lakers (makes more sense than LA) or Utah Miners (big industry in Utah) or Utah Elks (state animal). I guess there could be reason to include almost every team on this list. Wash Redskins ? NY Giants ? __________________ "Never argue with an idiot. I'll drag you down to my level, then I'll beat you with experience." "Those who think they know everything, are very annoying to those of us who do." -Mark Twain http://www.panthercoalition.com/index.php

06-29-2008, 11:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
DR3AMR Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 4,806	Surprised the Devil Rays aren't in there. __________________ "Why would Barack Obama be friends with someone who bombed the US Capitol and is proud of it?"

06-30-2008, 01:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,744	This is a silly article. You can't just change the name of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most storied franchises in the history of all of sports. Nor can you do that to the New York Rangers, a significant NHL team, to the Kansas City Royals, a significant baseball team, or to the Utah Jazz, who have more of a history with that name than New Orleans does at this point. I also don't understand why a team name must reflect something about its home city. Who cares if there aren't any Jaguars in Jacksonville? The idea is that a Jaguar is a tough animal. Plus, there's some nice alliteration in the name Jacksonville Jaguars. Shouldn't that count for something? The only proposed name change that I like is Memphis Blues. It rolls off the tongue well and makes sense as a local name. Also, the franchise is young and irrelevant enough to successfully pull off a name change. __________________ My teams know how to win: 2001, 2003, 2004 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots 2004, 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 2006 Spain: FIBA World Basketball Champions 2006, 2007 Sevilla FC: UEFA Cup Champions 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics 2008 Spain: European Cup Champions

06-30-2008, 07:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
lorentrook Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sophia,NC Posts: 502	Why take it so seriously? It's only a time waster, until the season starts. __________________ "Never argue with an idiot. I'll drag you down to my level, then I'll beat you with experience." "Those who think they know everything, are very annoying to those of us who do." -Mark Twain http://www.panthercoalition.com/index.php

08-15-2008, 12:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Joe Strummer Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 45	I know it wasn't much of a serous thing but you of the teams you named are teams from the early 1900's (NYR are from 1926). Names I Hate... I agree, the the Grizzlies moved from Vancouver it should have become the Blues. Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) a team from 2000 so there is no historical background of the name, the only reason for the name is because that bug is in Ohio. Named after a bug? Horrible, I like the jersey colours but they should have had a different name. Montreal Matrix (ABA): What the hell?

08-24-2008, 11:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
TylerDurden Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,800	No mention yet of the Cincinnati Bengals? A lame replacement name for Tiger to go with those horrific uniforms? Whats next? The Minnesota Norse? The St. Louis Ewes? The Pittsburgh Brigands? Actually that last one isn't half bad.