While recently skimming the front page of nfl.com and its crap load of information about teams we could care less about, we noticed a little known NFL fact. This month marks the 37th anniversary of the Patriots’ name change from the “Boston Patriots” to the more regional “New England Patriots.” It got us reminiscing on an era just a couple years ago when the Saints became the new “America’s team”? The new title and the uncertainty of New Orleans’ fate after Katrina worked together to spark rumors of a move to repackage our beloved team and rebrand them the “Gulf Coast Saints.”
Of course, that was before the Saints got Reggie, won their first playoff game, and made a legitimate run at the Super Bowl. Now a ticket to a Saints game is harder to come by than a straight guy past Tropical Isle on Bourbon St. Even though New Orleans continues to struggle, the Saints seem back in the swing of things on all cylinders. But that doesn’t necessarily answer the question of whether the regional branding would be worth exploring.
The move seemed to pay off in the long run for the Patriots, with football fans in a handful of states flocking to the Pats as their “home team.” For starters, it lessened the odds that the owners would eventually get the itch to pack up and seek “greener” pastures. Fan base and exposure are two very significant positives, particularly when it comes to ad dollars and determining the market size for a team.
For the Saints, a regional move could solve Superdome naming rights issues and reduce the team’s drain on the State. Besides, would it be such a bad idea to honor the fans from Biloxi to Pensacola who hold the Saints in such high regard, particularly when the move might ensure that when the going gets tough, Rita and friends won’t get going? Are you enticed by the idea of “southern camaraderie” or does the mere notion of sharing anything with Mississippi make you throw up in your mouth a little bit? Thoughts anyone?
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Gulf Coast Saints??? Ewwww NO! We dont mind having fans from Alabama, Mississippi, and other states but it is more of an historical thing we would like to keep. It would be nice to see some of you from other states go to London to root for the team.
I want NOTHING to do with the Gulf Coast Saints. They’re a NEW ORLEANS team 4 EVA! (but we gladly welcome the money from those other states!)
I gotta say, I love the idea of regional support but changing the name would break my heart!
I’m all for fans from other states/countries/continents…but…the Saints? They’re New Orleans born and bred, they’ve been supported and loved (and erm….strongly disliked when required) for decades. The Saints BELONG to New Orleans.
They will never be no “Gulf Coast Saints”. No need to talk about it.
PS: Are they finally quitting with that Millsaps crap and practicing in their own got damn training facility like a normal team?
To Ruby: Right now, it’s REQUIRED!!!!!!!!!!
God, I hope they stay in Millsaps for at least one more summer, so I can go visit them. I gots free places to stay. And that is the only time I see my brother.
My thoughts on this issue.
nuff said Ashley, nuff said…
@jake: I’m almost certain they’re back at millsaps for at least a couple years.
Everyone acts like by changing the name, they are changing where they play and call home. That is not the case. As for those who don’t know it, south Mississippi has been a very strong supporter for the Saints since their first season too, through both the good and the bad. Not all of the fans at the games were just from Louisiana when they were going 1-15. I personally like the new name, but only as long at it ends in Saints and their home to play is the Dome or in New Orleans. That’s my 2 cents.
i see your point Saints Rocks. Even though I’m in favor of the name staying the same, I also understand how a name change would create a sense of Gulf Coast unity and honor non-louisiana fans. But when you think about it, there are plenty teams with regional appeal that are not regional in title.
The Eagles for example have a strong fan base in the area known as “The Delaware Valley” which encompasses Delaware, Philly, and Parts of Jersey. No matter how many die-hards they have in those areas, you can bet they’d never even consider a regional name change. When it comes to the Saints, I think it’s a case of “that ship has sailed.” If they were gonna do it, it should have been done decades ago.
I grew up in Mississippi, lived in west virginia, louisiana, texas, and now alabama. The Saints are DA SAINTS! No name change needed. They will always be mine. (Well as long as they stay. If they went of to San Antonio or something, after I finished barfing they would no longer be a part of me).