Silverbacks to Announce New Team Name

The U.S. presidential election wasn’t the only thing being decided late Tuesday. Voting for the future name of Atlanta’s professional soccer team also closed, bringing a conclusion to the Atlanta Silverbacks’ two-month-long "Decision 2012" campaign.

While the verdict is in regarding the future name of the city’s only professional soccer team, the community will have to wait a week to find out the campaign’s results. The team will host a party to unveil the name on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Atlanta, and every single person that placed their vote over the course of the last two months will be invited. Silverbacks team advisor and FOX Soccer TV analyst Eric Wynalda will serve as the event’s emcee.

“We’re tremendously excited to announce the campaign results at the party next week,” said Silverbacks General Manager Andy Smith. “It is a huge announcement for our organization and the city as a whole, and we can’t wait to share it with all of the people that took the time to vote on the campaign.” 

The campaign, which kicked off just before the team finished their 2012 season in September, gave the community the opportunity to select one of four options: keep the current Silverbacks name; bring back the name of the city’s first ever professional soccer team, the Atlanta Chiefs; switch to a more European-style name, Atlanta FC; or write in a name of their own choosing.

The Silverbacks organization received thousands of votes from people all over the city and beyond, both online and at a series of polling events held across metro Atlanta. Local and national celebrities even weighed in on the campaign - people like The Bert Show host Bert Weiss, former U.S. National Team star Brian McBride and TV personality Erin Andrews.

The Silverbacks, second in the North American Soccer League in 2012 attendance, will now look to continue the momentum gained from the “Decision 2012” campaign by announcing another exciting offseason initiative at next week’s party. Smith offered a slight hint as to what kind of initiative that might be.

“I think it has become pretty clear that fans appreciate having a say in the decision-making of their favorite sports teams, so as a community-oriented franchise, that is exactly what we’re going to give them,” Smith said. “In regards to the next phase of our offseason, let’s just say that there are a number of elements that go into a strong sports brand, and at the party we’re going to announce yet another way for the fans to help us develop our brand.”

The unveiling party will feature special guests, drink specials and plenty of giveaways including a trip for two to New York City. One lucky voter, along with a guest, will travel with the team in 2013 when they go on the road to play against the New York Cosmos.

Voters will receive invitations to the event via email, and will be able to RSVP through the team’s website.

This article was provided by the Silverbacks.