Vancouver Whitecaps Unveil New Logo Ahead Of Joining MLS In 11

Vancouver Whitecaps Unveil New Logo Ahead Of Joining MLS In '11

Published June 9, 2010

The Vancouver Whitecaps yesterday unveiled a new team logo that "will be the club's marketing signature as it prepares to join" MLS next season, according to Bruce Constantineau of the VANCOUVER SUN. The image features "three North Shore mountain peaks towering above the Vancouver Whitecaps FC name, with the peaks reflected in blue water below the name." Whitecaps CEO Paul Barber said that the organization "spent a year developing a logo that will stand out in the digital age." Barber: "It's very traditional looking, in terms of the soccer world, and at the same time, it combines what's best about this city." Constantineau notes the Whitecaps sought input on the logo from adidas, "ad agency Publicis Canada, staff, fans, season ticket holders and team owners." The mountains in it "appear to reflect into a giant V and W below the Whitecaps name and the light blue used to symbolize the reflection of the mountains on water is a 'Whitecaps blue' -- a tribute to the primary colour on the club's logo during its 1979 Soccer Bowl championship season." Whitecaps President Bob Lenarduzzi compared the new logo "with those of some of the most famous soccer clubs in the world, like Chelsea and Barcelona." Lenarduzzi: "Ours has that classic look to it that will stand the test of time." Meanwhile, the Whitecaps yesterday also announced that they have sold 10,000 deposits for '11 season tickets, and the "next phase of sales will begin Saturday, with the total number of sales to be capped at about 16,500." Barber indicated that he "expects the remaining 6,500 tickets will sell quickly." He also said the team is "very close" to announcing a jersey sponsor (VANCOUVER SUN, 6/9).

A PLACE TO CALL HOME: Barber said that the BC Place Stadium configuration is "still being worked out, but he expects the lower bowl to hold around 20,000-21,000." In Vancouver, Marc Weber notes the Whitecaps "could open the upper bowl for bigger games, but there's a definite sense the club wants to create the most intimate and intimidating atmosphere possible." The team will open its inaugural MLS season at the temporary Empire Fields site and plans to move into a renovated BC Place by July '11 (Vancouver PROVINCE, 6/9).