Is this the new Wizards logo?

After Twitter user Colin Wilcox came across this image of a horrific all-NBA-logo jacket featuring a newly red Wizards logo, a whole lot of people began wondering whether this was the team's 2011-'12 look. (Here it is, outlined against gray instead, or blue, if you prefer.) I asked a team spokesman for an explanation on Monday morning, and a little while later Ted Leonsis posted a blog item on the topic. Here it is, in its entirety:
Many of you have seen a new version of a Wizards logo circulating online. We won't get into confirming or denying the validity of any logo designs. We appreciate and understand the excitement surrounding the new color scheme, and we are planning a comprehensive brand launch. We will announce the specific date for our public unveiling event soon and look forward to sharing our new brand identify with our fans.
Well, that's a non-denial, then.
Update: I called the company that makes these jackets -- JH Design Group -- and the person with whom I spoke claimed to be unaware of this issue. And yet, while we were on the phone, I refreshed my browser, and suddenly most of the jackets had reverted to the old blue-and-gold Wizards logo, although the black jacket still had the new red logo.
"It was obviously a mistake," I was told by the company.
So decide for yourself.
By
Dan Steinberg
| March 7, 2011; 12:06 PM ET
Categories:
Wizards
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I've hated the Wizards 'suicide wizard' for a long time. (Seriously, he's shooting himself in the head. WTF.) Easily my least favorite logo in the league.
Seeing it colored that way makes me hate it to a level that I didn't know was possible.
Posted by: yatesc1 | March 7, 2011 12:20 PM | Report abuse
Well it is better than the denial of the Tommy Hilfiger designed logo and jersey he filed a trademark on for the Caps.
Posted by: CapsNut | March 7, 2011 12:20 PM | Report abuse
HIDEOUS!
When are we just going to scrap this Wizards mess and get back to the Bullets? At least that was respectable. Haven't we had enough of being the laughingstock of the league?
Posted by: KyminDC | March 7, 2011 12:28 PM | Report abuse
I'm all for that design ... as long as you replace the word 'Wizards' with 'Bullets.'
Posted by: SavedByZero | March 7, 2011 12:30 PM | Report abuse
The logo was lame enough before the color change... but now it's just hideous. Please, please, please Ted, do not let that garish monstrosity see the light of day.
No self-respecting wizard would ever wear robes in those colors.
Posted by: swwj | March 7, 2011 12:31 PM | Report abuse
It looks like they did the same thimng to the Wizards logo as they did to the Mystics. Hopefully something more creative is on the way.
Posted by: pizzagoal | March 7, 2011 12:35 PM | Report abuse
SavedByZero - LMFAO with that comment! Bring back the BULLETS!!!!
Posted by: meatthenav | March 7, 2011 12:46 PM | Report abuse
Oh man...they deserve the ridicule if they follow through with that.
Posted by: tha_prophet | March 7, 2011 12:48 PM | Report abuse
I say go with this. And bring back short shorts. Return to yesteryear. Or, you know, just win.
Posted by: DCV1 | March 7, 2011 12:52 PM | Report abuse
Bullets!
Posted by: CrabHands | March 7, 2011 1:00 PM | Report abuse
Thanks Steiny! I had asked for this a couple posts ago. Appreciate it.
Posted by: saltine182 | March 7, 2011 1:06 PM | Report abuse
Hey Stein - those links already reflect a change back to the blue and gold...or bronze...or whatever awful colors our NBA franchise claims to sport.
Oh yeah - Wizards is the worst name ever and that red & blue Wizard is actually worse than what we currently have. If we're not going back to Bullets, let's just drop the mascot at this point. It is so embarrassing.
Posted by: DisgustedinArlington | March 7, 2011 1:12 PM | Report abuse
i stand by my determination that the wizards logo looks like something an elementary school student created with tangrams.
Posted by: rubyx4soho | March 7, 2011 1:33 PM | Report abuse
Wow, that's ugly. The announcement is coming and it will be a great day when the return of the Bullets becomes official. (Hopefully it works out better than the return of Gibbs.)
Posted by: PowerBoater69 | March 7, 2011 1:41 PM | Report abuse
I am okay with the color change, but dang that is a bad logo.
Posted by: alex35332 | March 7, 2011 2:48 PM | Report abuse
bullets or bust.
Posted by: poopstain | March 7, 2011 4:28 PM | Report abuse
Look at the Mystics Logo and you will see that it is very close to being the same colors.
THIS IS THE REAL DEAL!
Posted by: frediemac1 | March 7, 2011 4:36 PM | Report abuse
You know...there are professional graphic designers out there that Leonsis can hire. But I suppose he prefers just to mess around with it himself in Microsoft Paint.
Posted by: Aerowaz | March 7, 2011 5:33 PM | Report abuse
Change the name back to the Bullets.
Posted by: Defund_NPR | March 7, 2011 6:51 PM | Report abuse
By all means, change the name back to Bullets. And then send the team back to Baltimore.
Posted by: truamerican | March 7, 2011 7:18 PM | Report abuse
The damned thing has always looked like a swastika to me.
Posted by: truke | March 7, 2011 8:03 PM | Report abuse
Look. The whole NAME.....is.....unfortunate.
Let's FLUSH that name.....and....WIPE....the slate clean.
Posted by: notinmt | March 7, 2011 8:04 PM | Report abuse
Alright. I meant to say "WIPE" first....THEN "FLUSH".....the name, that is.
Posted by: notinmt | March 7, 2011 8:14 PM | Report abuse
EWW LOL It looks like a logo for the KKK
Posted by: johnnyvargas1982 | March 7, 2011 8:17 PM | Report abuse
EWW LOL It looks like a logo for the KKK
Posted by: johnnyvargas1982 | March 7, 2011 8:17 PM | Report abuse
Ted wants all his teams to don red, white, blue and silver - just like the caps, just like the mystics.
Dan, as a "sports reporter" I'd thought you would've known this already.
New unis come out next season.
Posted by: membame2 | March 7, 2011 8:29 PM | Report abuse
The Colors are Great but the LOGO is sum due due
Posted by: johnnyvargas1982 | March 7, 2011 8:43 PM | Report abuse
Bullets.
Posted by: crabstu | March 7, 2011 9:18 PM | Report abuse
The NBA sucks, and so does Power Boater... Sorry folks just delivering some of "THE" medicine that power troller likes to deliver.lol.
Posted by: DadRyan | March 7, 2011 9:22 PM | Report abuse
SEA-DOGS!
Posted by: Janitor_with_a_Jumpshot | March 7, 2011 10:48 PM | Report abuse
Here's a secret link to the new Wizards uniform for next season. Although the fabric looks soft and breathable, it may be a bit too flashy.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w160/r0dstiffler/wizards.png
Posted by: wiz_fan | March 7, 2011 10:55 PM | Report abuse
The Wizards name (and KKKlannish logo) has to go. No color job will pretty this up.I know no one wants to reopen the discussion of naming the team anything other than the Washington Bullets (which I miss too, but they still won't play the Clash at Verizon Center, will they?). But I for one think it would be hugely entertaining if someone in DC would name a professional sports team the Washington Scandal. Just think of the marketing possibilities ("Tonight! Inside the Beltway! Your Washington Scandal! Highlights at 11!"). And the cheerleaders. Oh my. I might actually care about what happens with the NBA for once in my life.
Posted by: maalesh | March 7, 2011 11:09 PM | Report abuse
Bullets
Posted by: normalPerson | March 8, 2011 12:54 AM | Report abuse
I understand why they scrapped the Bullets name, but why the Wizards? (and why the Mystics for that matter) Let's get in line with the Caps and Nats and go with a name that reflects the city. Maybe they don't want to go with the Senators, but how bout the Washington Court? Cheesy? Yes. But it would work. Or go all out and go with the Washington Earmarks, or Lobbyists, or PACs.
Posted by: SCL24 | March 8, 2011 3:11 AM | Report abuse
This is not going to be that bad, as long as they make the red a little darker.
Posted by: jimwest20 | March 8, 2011 2:52 PM | Report abuse
Hey Wizard-haters, the team was almost called the Sea Dogs. Be thankful for that.
I'll echo SCL24: let's get a government-themed name. The Justice? Everyone could dress up like a judge with robes and gavels. Old school fans could wear British wigs.
Posted by: JPBrown56 | March 11, 2011 12:02 AM | Report abuse
Want a team name that works for the city? Have Leonsis trade the Wizards to Sen. Kohl. I can't think of much that makes more sense than the Washington Bucks.
Ted would have to go with green, though, instead of red, white, and blue.
Posted by: dilbert719 | March 11, 2011 9:39 AM | Report abuse
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