Courtesy: Reno 1868 FC
After a months-long name the team contest, the Reno United Soccer League (USL) franchise has announced its new identity: the Reno 1868 FC.
A name the team contest was held for nearly four months and received close to 3,000 submissions. Other names were considered—including Reno FC and Reno United—but Reno 1868, a nod to the year in which the city was established, was deemed the winner.
The name has been one of the most highly anticipated aspects of Reno’s endeavor to attract a USL franchise, which first hit the news last summer, when it was reported that a professional soccer team could play out of Aces Ballpark, home to Minor League Baseball’s Reno Aces. In September, it was announced that a Reno expansion franchise—owned by Aces managing partner Herbert Simon—would begin play in 2017. A name the team contest was announced shortly thereafter, with the winner of the contest receiving a prize pack that included a personalized jersey and season tickets.
Joining Simon in the leadership ranks for the 1868 is Aces president Eric Edelstein, who will serve in the same capacity for professional soccer. The duo has worked successfully over the last few years to make Aces Ballpark a year-round destination, and feel that the 1868 brand will play well in Reno and beyond.
“We have asked for our new fans’ feedback throughout, and they have delivered a name which will uniquely represent our community in the soccer world,” said Edelstein. “The dynamics of the name and wordmark script are just the beginning of a very exciting revealing process.”
As the USL noted in its release, the Reno 1868 will be the only American professional soccer franchise to feature its city’s year of establishment in its branding. One other announcement to keep an eye on is the logo and color schemes for the 1868. Those details will be released at some point down the road.
While fans in Reno will have to wait to see their soccer franchise, Aces Ballpark is slated to host a match between Real Monarchs SLC and Sacramento Republic FC on June 11. Aces Ballpark will become the latest venue in the country to host both a USL franchise and a minor league team. Others include ONEOK Field (Tulsa), Louisville Slugger Field (Louisville), Peoria Sports Complex, as well as FNB Field (Harrisburg) and Clipper Magazine Stadium (Lancaster), which will split Harrisburg City Islanders matches this season.