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NYCFC unveil two club badge designs, ask fans to vote

NYCFCbadgedesigns1 (NYCFC)

By DAN KARELL

New York City FC are leaving the future badge of the club in their supporters hands.

On Monday, NYCFC revealed two badge designs created by Alfalfa Studio’s Rafael Esquer and asked fans to vote to decide which design will become the club’s official badge. Fans have from Monday through March 13 to vote on their favorite badge design.

Both designs are influenced by urban artifacts in New York City. The design on the left features a shield in the shape of the seal of New York City, with overlapping NYC letters in the middle. The design on the right is shaped like an old subway token and also has the same overlapping NYC letters in the middle. Both crests have the words “New York City” above the letters and “Football Club” below.

“This badge is to be the symbol of our club, a symbol of our players and we hope in time, a symbol of this city,” NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a statement. “That is why we decided to give our fans the power to take part in such a fundamental way. Thanks to the work of Rafael Esquer we feel that we have two designs that truly represent our club and our city, and we’re excited to see which badge they choose.”

NYC FC last month asked fans to submit their own designs for a future badge, and while it seems that the club will be using a design of their own, those fan-submitted designs will be part of the club’s “badge mosaic,” with each design becoming a pixel in the crest.

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What do you think of these designs? Which one do you like better? Do you think these accurately represent the club’s ambitions?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I have an idea, put the circle crest inside the badge and you yourself a hefty crest for nycfc.

    By the way, I would have named this team New York Empire fc or New York City empire.

    For instance, rapids should have gone for Colorado gold, due to the gold in the mountains and Dallas, Dfw united and put a stadium in Arlington. It’s so easy to name a team, for example inter Miami, Austin pioneers, Houston storm or aeroes.

    By the wAy, it’s harder to name a bar than a pro team in MLS.

    Reply
    • I say good on them, let the New York City Football Club take it right to American football and the NFL. Make them change their name. Like to Carryball for instance, or Carryandrunlikeheckball.

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  2. Can we compromise and call them “Cityname” S.C. and shorten it to just “Cityname” when ever its referenced. The whole united and city naming conventions came about because there were multiple teams in the same city.

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  3. My guess is that they know the one on the right is much better and that this “vote” is a true PR move and isn’t really set up as a match between equals (which is fine). The circular one is classic, simple and easy on the eyes. Its got the colors (and everything else) balanced right. Hint of orange instead of in your face. Interlocking letters are easy to read and familiar. Darker blue words on light blue background makes the words easy to read. It doesn’t try to be showy or trendy, rather, it looks like its always been around (even if the subway token reference may be lost on younger fans). It would look very good on a shirt (imagine home white with dark blue pinstripes and light blue lettering). The “badge” one is a bit of a mess. The orange N is painful to look at, and the attempt to cram all the colors into the interlocking letter is forced. Light blue lettering on the dark background is harder to read. The “badge” idea isn’t bad, but the border needs to stand out more and the interior feels like its floating by iself rather than part of something coherent. I’d give the circle a solid 9 and the badge a 4.

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  4. Holy cow, the number of people arguing about whether “soccer” or “football” is the better term—when obviously everyone here recognizes both terms as synonymous. Get over it.

    Ditto for the tiresome complaint about patterning MLS names after Euro teams by putting FC in the name.

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  5. The circular logo would easily be one of the better logos in the league.

    Anyone saying otherwise just wants to hate on NYCFC for the sake of hating on them.

    BTW, for those that were determined to say this team would be a MCFC clone…well I’ll let the logo speak for itself.

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    • im not saying this a bad design, it is clearly the design they want you to pick based on the Hornberger Method..im saying the design in a total rip off of Inter Milan…and for a franchise struggling to gain authenticity and originality..perhaps something more unique was called for..and labeling the crest design in “Manchester City FC Blue” probably isnt really a smart idea either.

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  6. Both badges are terrible, despite representing the subway and Dutch colors and bla bla.

    Why in the world doesn’t nycfc add the liberty statue or some NYC buildings in the crest, what’s so difficult about that and fans logos are way better than those.

    Another thing, MLS has union and timbers using the circular crest and nycfc should be the last and I thought nycfc would go for a mcfc type of crest, unique and MLS 3.0

    As for FC, what’s the big deal, America always called it football and not soccer, until American football (handball) came around and stole the football term. MLS should have told every team when the league started, use the term soccer or football but I would have gone for football because it’s BASICALLY football all over the world.

    Oh and by using football, MLS can rival nfl in the coming future since there not football, they are handball and MLS needs a new name, don’t use soccer or football in it, use something like north America premier league or national premier league but first, MLS needs to established more territory in America and then get a new name.

    Reply
      • Throwball 🙂

        But honestly MLS fans, football was used in America for soccer way back in the day, and then it changed to soccer.

        We as soccer fans, lost the term football to American football because of money and a master plan of the afl and nfl.

        MLS needs to get a new league name, like by 2026 when they get the World Cup. By then MLS will be more stablished and there is no need for putting the word soccer or football in the league name.

        Go for something like APL American premier league or NPL national premier league , but do it when the league is better stablished.

        As for nycfc crest, god it’s NYC and add everything, the token design, liberty lady, empire building, a little bridge. Don’t go simple, it’s Fukn NEW YORK CITY, not San Jose or Columbus or even fc Dallas.

      • “MLS needs to get a new league name…when the league is better stablished.”

        So build brand recognition so you can change it.

        See also: New Coke.

    • You have no idea what you are talking about. I like how you imply that using a circle is somehow MLS 1 or 2.0. Lots of clubs around the world use a circle and just because Philly and Portland (not really the same since the jump to MLS anyway) use them that suddenly it is a travesty should NYCFC use one. This is especially funny because you want the Statue of Liberty or a building on the thing. Talk about MLS 1.0. Both of these options are far superior to anything with any of those options. What you are missing is that simple and clean are far superior to cheesy cityscape images and will be able to stand the test of time while many other crests in MLS are aging poorly. San Jose should be screaming for a crest like this compared to the busy piece of crap they stuck on their kits.

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  7. Both are infinitely better than most of the MLS crests. I would like the see the Fire crest redone. In all honesty I’d like the see the “Fire” part dropped altogether just call the team something like Chicago Soccer Club, Chicago Football Club or something other than some vestige of early 90’s team names.

    Reply
      • Why not have something different than the usual City and mascot name. As long as the name is not named after a product (NY Red Bulls), the name is not ridiculous because it doesn’t fit with the City (Real Salt Lake [like there is anything Royal about Utah] or Sporting Kansas City [Kansas City is really known for its Portuguese population]), or stupid (like Kansas City Wiz), then I don’t have a problem.

  8. Meh, neither are really that great but i do like the detail of the polygons in the second one though, i’m guessing they represent the 5 boroughs of New York?

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  9. This is useless, but the Original Winger had sent out a link to a few badges that were absolutely incredible, I think they were more skyline heavy.

    I think these hit high marks for traditional, don’t love the orange and blue even though they are the NYC colors.

    Is it too existential to ask how a team would have fans before it exists? Not to go too Rust Cohle but, I am not sure where this fanbase exists? Are people who don’t like the Cosmos or the Red Bull automatically fans? How much can you like soccer if you couldn’t get behind the only pro team on your neighborhood for the last 17 years?

    I will show myself the door.

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    • From what i have found its a few members of a RBNY supporters club looking to break away and a few hard line “has to be inside NYC limits for me to care” that were left out to dry when Borough Boys threw their support behind the Cosmos.

      That and some mongs that jusy discovered soccer existed a few weeks ago along with the occasional “new” Man city fan.

      Bottom line is they have like 15-20 people tops clamoring for this, but they have done a bang up job making enemies of groups they need to court support from.

      Reply
      • Says a Cosmos fan. Dude, worry about you own issues. Cause you have many.

        This club will be fine as long as they bring in good players. NY loves to frontrun. The Cosmos will always be limited by playing in D2 out on the Island and the Red Bulls by playing in Harrision. As long as they don’t screw it up, this club will be a massive success.

    • Real simple, Dos.

      grew up a Cosmos fan they are D2( they don’t have the Kaiser or Pele anymore), however I will always be loyal to them and support them the New York Cosmos were many peoples childhood or old school team.

      and NYCFC reps the city in the MLS and I can get behind that.

      Also when Metro Stars turned into Red Bulls that Logo design everything kind of just turned me off a bit.

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  10. I also love the fact that it says “football” on it. I can call two sports by one name. It shows we don’t think we are above the rest of the world.

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  11. I like both. Just going on design priciples, the badge design is a little busy, but you could also say the circle is too sterile. Coin flip.

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  12. I like the round one. Maybe with the NYC a little smaller and without the arrow thingies on the ends, just simple straight ends.

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    • Liking both as well. Not much competition though with so many bad MLS badges out there (SJ’s “steaming turd-ball” anyone?)

      Reply
      • I like the Rapids one. It says: we play soccer in the foreground of the mountains dammit! Classy and on the nail.

  13. Really needs a flying soccer ball. No other way to know which sport this is for.

    btw, the multi-colored “NYC” in the cop badge crest (left) is too busy.

    Reply
    • The multiple colors for the “NYC” are definitely too busy. It should’ve just been white. There is already orange in the boarder.

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    • That is not referring to the outline alone, it is referring to the pattern and thickness of the rings. Just Google “NYC Subway Token” and you will see the resemblance.

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      • I thought it was shaped like an old school Times Square porno theater token. Same pattern and thickness along the outside, but the letters in the middle class it up a bit from the zodiac symbols or cartoons of people having sex.

    • Every team should. It’s so generic it can’t be trademarked so why not? just change the colors to orange and blue and away you go.

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  14. I remember taking a survey about possible badges, where these 2 were 2 of 5 or so different ones. While I don’t mind either of these, I thought there was one on the survey that was much better…found online here:

    http://cargocollective.com/milokowalski/New-York-City-F-C-Brand-Proposal

    I would have appreciated no sky blue in the badge, as the one linked to shows, but I doubt Man City would have gone for that…It’s a shame. My personal opinion is that they should stay away from anything that makes this club look like a Man City feeder club…

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    • Yeah, that one’s amazing. Classy and logical. These two… Ugh. Obvious they’ll go with number two, the Inter Milan, and the first is there to “present options for a fan vote.”

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      • I have to admit that despite going to NYC once, I don’ t think I had ever seen the city flag. I see that proposal and all I think is “NY Mets” which I’m sure is the last thing the Yankees owners would want associated with their club.

        But I understand that it doesn’t have to have a total Man City vibe. I mean, look at Saprissa down in Costa Rica, they didn’t switch to wearing red and white stripes when the Chivas owner bought them. Thankfully Colorado hasn’t switched their burgundy to red because their owner bought out Arsenal (although how awesome would it be to hear the fans cry if Kroenke made Arsenal wear the burgundy of the Rapids?).

      • the burgundy color was actually from the 2006 Arsenal away kits, prior to that the Rapids were blue and black stripes and before that green.

    • wow, that’s way better. I can see where the Yankees had issues w/ the NY. But way better. Really pops, that’s coming from a Cosmos fan.

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      • Hey so when are the Cosmos going to move up to MLS? They have been talking about that for a long time. If that happens, is New York going to be able to support 3 MLS teams?

    • This one wins it for sure. Thanks for linking that. I wish they’d give this one a shot- much better than either option presented.

      Reply
  15. Love the token design. Wish it didn’t reference some sport that isn’t soccer. I already root for a New York football team. It won two Super Bowls recently. I am willing to root for a soccer team, however.

    Reply
    • The football team that you support is not even in New York soooo your argument is inconclusive. Dumb statement to begin with.

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      • The Giants and Jets represent the New York area, the fact the stadium is 2 miles away is meaningless and only brought up by tiresome pedants. Case in point.

      • Yeah, why can’t the Jets and Giants just admit they’re not really in New York. I mean, just grow up already like the Arlington Cowboys, Landover Redskins, OR the EPL’s Upton Park United Hammers, or Roman Abromovich’s Other Fulham FC, the one that wears blue and plays at Stamford Bridge (which by the way, isn’t really a bridge at all, can you believe that?).

      • Because the NFL won’t let the teams rebrand themselves as from NJ. I grew up in NJ and it never bothered me.

    • Shut up. It’s football. Or soccer. Or Futbol. Or Fusbal. I’m born and raised in America and I prefer Football. Soccer is okay, too.

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      • Seriously. The people whining about it being called “football” here are just as bad as Europeans who overreact every time the word “soccer” is used. Get over yourselves. It’s not funny, or interesting, or important.

        It’s the most popular sport in the world. People around the globe have many names for it. We ALL know what they’re talking about. Time to move on from this obsession with nomenclature.

      • I think the best way is to call it “soccer” unless you’re absolutely certain that the person/people you’re talking to know that by “football” you’re not talking about the game with the pads and pigskin.

    • Disagree completely. Soccer team in USA are known as “club” teams all the youth growing up playing soccer are accustomed to that so the club part is totally natural. Likewise many coaches in the us youth system actually refer to soccer as football, Here in Norcal are kids are very much used to hearing it called football.

      Football club is actually the most accurate description and not poseur at all.

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      • OK, so try and sign your kid up for the recreational league at the “club” next season. They are called clubs abroad because they offer memberships and have entry requirements and physical fitness facilities and multiple sports teams (eg, Real Madrid hoops). You can’t even become a Barca member without serving a multiyear transition period.

        The “clubs” in US youth soccer are usually either multiyear rec leagues or multiyear select setups. So there is a club organization broader than my team or age group.

        MLS is starting to develop its Ajax funnels but let’s be real, the FC is basically one soccer team. That has only started to change the last decade with academies. And until there is some sort of membership that I am joining I’m not sure club is apt. Even if I was a season ticket holder, if I went to the “club” and found my way in on a non-gameday they’d have me arrested for trespassing. It’s a team with a schedule.

      • Well if the Euro-wannabees of NorCal are calling it Football I guess we all should.

        But seriously, I don’t think anyone really cares if your soccer team is called a football club. I would actually like to see a new team actually use the American format now (City, mascot) just as a throwback to the old days.

      • I basically agree with you and a couple posts down suggest it’s a marketing opportunity missed. You won’t offend people like with Burn but I don’t think FC or United are the sort of exciting names people look forward to singing or talking about.

        I would also say there’s a hierarchy of imitations, FC and United are tepid but solid, but to me Sporting and Real (in a country which rejected a king in a city run by the Mormons) are silly.

      • I think (could be wrong here) the mention of Mormons was just pointing out the LDS Church was founded in America by english speaking Americans and ‘Real’ is spanish for ‘royal’. It’s just kind of a strange match.

    • Agree with Drew11. In the NY metro area all, the youth teams I knew of growing up were called Football clubs and/or association. I will also have you know referring to a sports team as a “club” is also a classic sports reference. Some announcers still call some baseball teams baseball clubs.

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    • Badges we don’t need no stinking badges.

      For US sports terms it’s a logo and as with the general “FC” type concept here, it’s meh and generic. Better than “Burn” or “Clash” but tepid in comparison to “Dynamo” or “Red Bull,” where the identity is stronger. Some Euro teams have a Tigers Red Devils Whites etc. nickname alongside the FC that may or may not have official status or have been co-opted. But I think American teams tend to like to control their identity.

      Reply

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