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 little over a week to find out the campaign’s results. The team
will host a party to unveil the name on Thursday, November 15 from 7-10 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. “It was great to see the amount of
support the campaign received in the community,” said Silverbacks Chairman Boris
Jerkunica.
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.
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