Philly gets its WINGS; alumni and fans come out for official name unveiling
Team will start play December 2018
W-I-N-G-S…WINGS!
A sound that used to echo inside the Spectrum and Wells Fargo Center was silenced on July 11, 2014 as the team relocated to New England and became the Black Wolves.
Fast forward to November 29, 2017 and the infamous chant came back to life outside XFINITY LIVE, as a skydiver delivered the team name and the lacrosse fans of Philadelphia received their WINGS once again.
Wings alumni Jake Bergey, Scott Gabrielsen, Paul Deniken and others were on hand with die-hard fans as it became official.
“It feels great seeing the Wings name again,” said Gabrielsen. “Wings fans are very passionate, and made their voices heard.”
Paul Deniken echoed the same feelings and added “I can’t wait to bring my kids and see the old faithful fans.”
Long time season ticket holders and Philadelphia Wings Fan Club Members (PWFC) were on hand and celebrated. Jay Davidson, also known as Chopper, said he “cant wait to get the chants going again.”
Eric Schultz (Big E.), President of the PWFC, added “Now we have to wait another year, but it will be worth it.”
After a preliminary name selection by the fans that started on September 14, the final three names selected for the final vote were Founders, Fire, and Wings. The name the team contest generated more than 7,000 entries through an online vote, and it was made very clear the fans wanted the Wings back as they received over 5,000 votes.
“The Wings are clearly the favourite, and we’re happy to give the fans what they want,” said Lindsey Masciangelo, Executive Director of Business Operations.
Comcast Spectacor partnered with GOBI advertising in Haddonfield, NJ, to design the team’s logo, which embodies the city and the fans, according to Masciangelo.
“Respecting the fans’ desire for the Wings name, we wanted the look to feel fresh, but also pay homage to the history of indoor lacrosse in Philadelphia,” she said.
The Wings logo features a throwback to the previous team’s mark with a familiar “W,” but slightly refreshed. The color scheme features red, gold and charcoal, a combination that no other team in the NLL possesses, although the gold is similar to the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. The “P” on the side of the uniform, representing Philadelphia, will serve as a secondary logo. It is also a connection to Comcast Spectacor’s other Philadelphia-area professional sports team, the Philadelphia Flyers, of the National Hockey League.
Starting in December 2018 the NLL will have 11 teams.
Eastern Conference: Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, Buffalo Bandits, Georgia Swarm New England Black Wolves & Toronto Rock.
Western Conference: Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, and Vancouver Stealth.
NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz was also in attendance for the event.
“Today marks yet another great milestone for the city of Philadelphia, its team and our league,” said Sakiewicz. “Philadelphia fans are among the best and most passionate in the world and today they spoke loudly through the fan vote revealing Philadelphia Wings as the team’s official identity. There are so many exciting things going on in the NLL right now that also mirrors this city’s dynamic sports scene. It’s great to see the fans get their Wings back as we inch closer to seeing the best lacrosse action in the world starting here in the 2018-19 season.”
Visit www.wingslax.com and follow them on twitter @NLLWINGS.
https://wingslax.com/press-releases/wings-reveal-official-logo-and-team-colors/
For tickets call 215-952-LAX1 (5291).
