A B-Side BY Armin

North American Soccer League

Set to begin play this week, on April 9, the North American Soccer League (NASL) is a new, second-tier (to the MSL), men’s soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, consisting of eight teams. The NASL previously existed from 1968 to 1984 and the new logo is based on the last one used by the league. The new identity has been designed by 343RLP+ Creative Group. Brief story here.

Thanks to Roy Levitt for the tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Prior to the 2011 season known as Miami FC, the newly renamed Fort Lauderdale Strikers are a soccer team that play in the North American Soccer League. The new identity has been designed by 343RLP+ Creative Group. Press release here.

Thanks to Roy Levitt for the tip.

Opinion BY Clinton Duncan

Giant G, No Little g

Previously Team GWS, now the rather wordy Greater Western Sydney Giants (but thankfully shortened to GWS Giants), are the latest expansion team of the Australian Football League, or AFL. Team GWS was a placeholder name for the initial few years, and the name was chosen after a community competition, and Sydney branding firm Pincipals were tasked with turning the new name into a new brand.

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A B-Side BY Armin

Madison Mallards

The Madison Mallards, based in Madison, Wisconsin, are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. In February they unveiled a new identity, designed by local firm Shine Advertising. A bigger view of the logo is available after the jump.

Thanks to Nathan Garn for the tip.

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Opinion BY Armin

The Ryder Cup gets a Crest

First played in 1927 and named after English seed merchant Samuel Ryder, the Ryder Cup, organized jointly by Ryder Cup Europe and PGA, is a biennial golf tournament that pits twelve-player teams of Europe and United States against each other — the U.S. counts with 25 wins against Europe’s 8. The venue for the Ryder Cup alternates between European and American cities with the last having been played at Newport, Wales in 2010 and the upcoming one at Medinah, Illinois in 2012. This week the Ryder Cup announced a new logo designed by Interbrand.

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Opinion BY Armin

The Tampa Bay Lightning Lack Voltage

The Tampa Bay Lightning — nickname: Bolts — joined the National Hockey League in the 1992 – 93 season along with the Ottawa Senators as expansion teams. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in the 2004 – 05 season and in the following season, trying to defend their championship, they were eliminated by the Senators in the first round of the playoffs. I bet there is some poetic justice there for Senators fans. The Lightning have had two very crappy seasons after those glory days and now seem determined to get some thunder going behind them. Yesterday, they announced new uniforms, which will be used starting next season, and a new identity designed by SME Branding.

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A B-Side BY Armin

Tucson Padres

Formerly located in Portland and known as the Beavers, the Tucson Padres will begin play in the 2011 season of Triple-A baseball. They will be affiliated with the San Diego Padres — Tucson’s logo is based on San Diego Padres’ logo from the late 1970s. One story describes the new logo as having “a Tucson feel with the artistic addition of the cactus and mountain, synonymous with the Old Pueblo.”

Thanks to Dan McCormick for the tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

Profile Racing

Established in 1968 and headquartered in St Petersburg, FL, Profile Racing is one of the leading manufacturers of BMX cranks, sprockets, stems, hubs, and other wonderfully-named parts. A logo evolution and new identity materials were designed by Danger Brain. (Identity applications can be seen at their website).

A B-Side BY Armin

Euroleague Final Four 2011

Played in a different European city each year, this season’s final four of the Euroleague will take place in Barcelona. As of the 2010 – 2011 season, Turkish Airlines is the official sponsor of the basketball league, so expect to see a lot more of that bird. The 2011 logo is “inspired by two of the emblematic artists of the host city, Antoni Gaudi and Joan Miró.” Small press release here.

Thanks to Marc Nijborg for the tip.

Opinion BY Armin

There is a New “W” in Town

Originally home to the Washington Senators, not one (1901 – 1960) but two times (1961 – 1971), Washington’s current Major League Baseball team is the Nationals, who were originally the Montreal Expos before they relocated to the U.S. as an expansion franchise. On November of last year, the Nationals announced new uniforms and new logos.

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