In the last year Columbus Crew SC have secured new owners, a new president and head coach, and established plans for a new downtown stadium and training facilities.
Could a new look be on its way, too?
A Columbus Dispatchreport by Michael Arace cited sources that the team is "thinking seriously about changing its name, colors and logo by the time its new stadium opens in the summer of 2021."
But Crew part-owner Dr. Pete Edwards immediately clarified that the club will not be changing its black and gold colors. The position was also subsequently confirmed by a club spokesman:
And it was club president Tim Bezbatchenko issuing the strongest statement on Crew SC's position regarding any rebrand talk:
“The colors Black & Gold and the moniker 'The Crew' are critical parts of our club’s identity and have been beloved by supporters since 1996," he told the Columbus Dispatch. "Discussions regarding overall brand identity include critical supporter feedback, and any reports suggesting a departure from the above by the club would be inaccurate."
Crew SC are one of MLS's original 10 charter clubs and last rebranded in 2014, when they introduced a new crest and brand identity that moved away from a logo which featured three men in hard hats since 1996. What has never changed in their 25-year span is Crew SC's official colors: black and gold.
The Haslam and Edwards families took over as owners on January 9, 2019, which is the same day they announced a new club president (Bezbatchenko) and head coach (Caleb Porter).
The groundbreaking for Crew SC's new downtown stadium was held just months later in October and the club is also planning on constructing a new training facility on the site of their current home at MAPFRE Stadium.
