Cleveland Naps - I like to look at names as if I was from another city and didn't care about the back story so much. That is, I am taking the name at face value. Thinking about it that way the Naps is not a very good name. We all know what a nap is: "a short sleep, especially during the day". That doesn't sound like a competitive name. Who would be the mascot: Snoozy? I thought of partnering with Disney but I am a little concerned that using the name of a dwarf might be problematic and insensitive relative to short people. I just don't see this being a name I would respect if I was from a different city/part of the country.
Cleveland Rockers - Again, the back story is very understandable for the average Clevelander but, to me, this doesn't read well for someone NOT from Cleveland. My image is someone in a rocking chair. I could be acceptable with this one but I don't see it as the best option.
Cleveland Rocks - This is my personal favorite. I think that it allows for marketing and even a Fantastic Four-like mascot. I think, while there may be some joking about the relative intelligence of professional athletes, I think a rock is a pretty tough thing. Plus, if our favorite college football team could be a type of nut, I think a Rock outdoes a nut. Plus it brings memories of Drew Carey's TV show which does have national exposure.
Cleveland Spiders - I am not for this one at all. Spiders are scary but not in an intimidating sense. Plus the Marketing and mascot aspects of this would be problematic.
Cleveland Midges - While this one can bring a chuckle from Indians fans/Yankees haters, it doesn't pass any marketing or mascot hurdles and it may be misinterpreted by little people to be problematic.
Cleveland Fellers - While this honors the name of the favorite son of Indians baseball, it means nothing out of town AND would be really hard to get name recognition which could hurt the brand marketing. However, given the White Sox, Red Sox, Reds, etc., this one would be acceptable.
Cleveland Pioneers - Again, nothing wrong with this but it is sort of old-sounding.
Cleveland Force or Cleveland Crunch or Cleveland Gladiators - Names of other, defunct teams in other sports in the Cleveland area. Of course all of these are fine as good sports teams names but as Star Wars is overdone and Gladiators may infuriate people (most of us) who didn't like using human murder as entertainment, I might go with Cleveland Crunch
So, for me, we put the following up to the Cleveland fans to vote on:
- Cleveland Rocks
- Cleveland Crunch
- Cleveland Fellers
I am really afraid that the Fellers would win emotionally even though the Marketing might be severely hurt by this nickname.
Any thoughts
