NHL expansion team gets a name: Vegas Golden Knights

Everyone pretty much knew Knights would be in the name. Along the way, the names Nighthawks and Sidewinders were reportedly considered, as well.

We have known this for a few months now, but we now know the official team name and logo.

With about 2,000 fans gathered in Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena, team owner Bill Foley officially dubbed his hockey team the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights will then choose one player from each of the other 30 rosters, with the results from the expansion draft being released on June 21.

Let’s start with the name.

He expects to spend the next several months dividing time between Las Vegas and the road, getting his staff together once a month to review nuts and bolts.

And just who are the Golden Knights? “I’ll tell you that”.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! Foley, a West Point graduate, always seemed somewhat partial to some version of Knight, but he kept his final choice a mystery between Desert Knights, Golden Knights and Silver Knights. “And hockey players are warriors and they’re team players, they’re not individuals, they’re playing together”. And hockey players are warriors. “That’s us. That’s what we’ll be”.

The team explained the colors in the logo.

It’s hard to assess a team logo without some surrounding context regarding how that logo will fit into the team’s uniforms and larger visual program.

I actually like this logo better than the primary. Secondary logos include swords that create the star from the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.

Unfortunately, the logo unveiling didn’t go as planned.

Fans booed the introduction of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, although he was instrumental in bringing the NHL to that desert city. Um, it’s good to be optimistic, Bill.

If people do not like the name, he added, “it’s going to be on me”.

The city is also not a big TV market, meaning that local broadcast rights may not generate enough profit. “Las Vegas is a jewel, there is certainly gambling, but it is also the city of entertainment, a destination for families and for business”, summed up Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

So here’s my take.

Fans gave their reaction as it was happening – some loved it, some hated, some didn’t care.

Gronkowski isn’t the only member of the Patriots to acquire ownership of a sports franchise this past year. That’s high expectations from your owner. I think it’s exciting.