AD Mark Hollis confirmed the logo yesterday after it was discovered on U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website. Hollis says the logo "is a single element of a comprehensive brand and identity project" and that "a single symbol cannot be appreciated or measured outside the context of the total presentation." So far that excuse isn't going over well with the fans. As of right now 9,196 fans have joined the Facebook group JUST DON'T - No new Nike-influenced Spartan helmet and 95% have voted against the new logo in a poll at the State News.
Just how serious is this? I just sent an email to Mr. Hollis explaining that I would not be able to renew my football season tickets if the new logo was adopted. And I meant it. I won't be the only one.
UPDATE: More at Uni Watch. The Facebook group now has 10,387 members.
UPDATE 2: Someone on Facebook uploaded this picture of a t-shirt with the new logo:
I have to admit this t-shirt isn't bad, if it came out without any talk of changing the logo I might even buy it. But if they mess with the logo, no new Nike merchandise for me.
5 comments:
Not good press for MSU. I would not be shocked at all if they changed it back.
This was a HUGE topic Wednesday on "The Huge Show" with Bill S. So huge, I even called into the show. (Shortest hold time I've ever incurred on a radio station [1 minute?]...then again, he takes about 15 phone calls per minute.)
If Michigan fans are calling in that's not a good sign for the administration.
It's hard to be sure, but my impression so far is that the response is 80%-95% negative, with a lot of that being extremely negative. That Facebook group is gaining more members by the minute. I think they've miscalculated the response and how it's going to affect their ability to sell new merchandise. I certainly won't buy any.
Its not that its a bad logo, its that State shouldn't change theirs. If your logo is classic, LEAVE IT ALONE. I think it would be a good logo, for someone else.
Some of the anger on The Huge Show Wednesday was even directed toward the basketball jersey. MSU fans were angered that it just says "State." Some wish it either said "Michigan State" or "Spartans." The issue had to do with whether or not the word "State" on the uniform is intimidating.
I called in to argue that if your team is so good that all the jersey needs to say is "State", then the team must be pretty dang good. If everyone knows what "State" refers to, then I think you've accomplished dominance.
That's a pretty good point.
I don't have any problem with the basketball jerseys myself, I like the "State" wordmark (probably because it's Star Wars-like) and they have the classic helmet on them as well. I can see why others would disagree though. I don't think the basketball team has had a consistent strong look, so it was a lot easier to accept a new logo. Of course, they didn't propose getting rid of a classic logo either.
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