The Columbus Crew will now be known as Columbus SC, or Columbus soccer club, a rebranding that drew quick criticism from the team's biggest supporters Sunday.
In a press release, the team’s general manager Tim Bezbatchenko tried to soften the blow and explained the changes as centering the city.
“We are proud to represent Columbus on the global stage of soccer and aspire to help elevate the city and honor it for what it has done for the Club,” Bezbatchenko said. “We are Columbus Soccer Club, we are The Crew, and we will always be the Black & Gold.”
The club released a video on social media that shows the new logos.
In Columbus, we forge paths for others to follow.
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) May 10, 2021
𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐬. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐰.#Crew96 pic.twitter.com/oN2sOWrBS9
Over the weekend, images leaked of the new logo as well as reports about the name change. The fans who rallied three years ago around the Save The Crew movement, to stop a move to Austin were not happy.
The team's independent group of supporters known as Nordecke released a statement saying they condemn the change that strips the club of its history and heritage. They also say they neither they nor any other supporters groups were involved in the rebranding.
Late Sunday a petition went up online opposing the changes. As of Monday afternoon, it has more than 2,000 signatures.
The Crew’s first game at its new downtown stadium is July 3.
