Jolly Roger logo being phased out

terrisus

formerly: imgran
SoSH Member
Arrr
 
 
 
The Pirates announced Wednesday that the franchise will make the gold "P" the team's primary logo this season, replacing the beloved eye-patch wearing sailor who has been the club's main symbol for nearly 80 years.

The team will still have the Jolly Roger on the sleeves of some of its uniforms for the time being. Some variation of the Jolly Roger has been a part of the Pirates' identity since 1936, although the classic "P" dates back more than a century.
 
 

Jaylach

Gamergate shitlord
Sep 26, 2007
1,636
Vernon, CT
I guess they couldn't take the backlash from the Pirate community?


I did hear Somalia was pretty offended....
 

zenter

indian sweet
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Oct 11, 2005
5,641
Astoria, NY
"Any broadcast, rebroadcast, retransmission, or account, or description of this game without the express written consent of Major League Baseball is strictly prohibited."
 

Jer

New Member
Jul 17, 2005
278
Boston, MA
Pretty lousy reporting by ESPN. They didn't answer the obvious question any reader would have... why?
 
This article is an upgrade...
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/2014/01/08/Pirates-ditch-pirate-as-main-logo/stories/201401080141
 
 
Initially, the team planned to replace the most recent incarnation with another pirate. After consulting focus groups of fans, however, the Pirates decided on the "P".
...
By emphasizing the "P" logo more prominently in recent years, the Pirates made the transition easier because fans already identify the new logo with the team. The new logo also got a boost from the hip-hop community, where Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa and others have made the Pirates cap popular in streetwear.
 
The current version of the logo has represented the team for 17 years -- 16 of them losing seasons. That may be why the team explored rebranding in the first place, Mr. Williams said.
 
"It's definitely an attempt to re-energize the brand," he said. With the team winning again, "this is a perfect time to capitalize."
 
Apparently the hip-hop community can't relate to pirates, but can to a gold P on a black background. Makes sense. I'm sure a skull/swords would've been fine with these fans, but probably would've been a turnoff to parents buying for kids.
 
Someone should forward the research to the Raiders.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
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Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
I always wondered why they just didn't have a simple white pirate skull-and-crossbones on a black background as their cap logo.
 
That would fucking rock.
 

bohous

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Jul 21, 2005
4,421
Framingham
 
 
The Pirates announced Wednesday that the franchise will make the gold "P" the team's primary logo this season, replacing the beloved eye-patch wearing sailor who has been the club's main symbol for nearly 80 years.

The team will still have the Jolly Roger on the sleeves of some of its uniforms for the time being. Some variation of the Jolly Roger has been a part of the Pirates' identity since 1936, although the classic "P" dates back more than a century.
 
Am I the only one who can't figure out what they are changing? I have always associated the "P" as the primary logo in my mind anyway and the pirate will continue to be on the sleeve. I guess they are just phasing it out from marketing and alternate caps etc?
 
edit: just read more carefully that the JR will still be on uniform "for time being", hence "phasing out"
 

Leather

given himself a skunk spot
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
28,451
I would bet $100 that they will phase the pirate back in within 10 years. 
 
I feel like this is just a re-branding to sell more shirts, and they will juggle it around again later.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

has fancy plans, and pants to match
Dope
SoSH Member
Apr 12, 2001
24,548
The new logo also got a boost from the hip-hop community, where Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa and others have made the Pirates cap popular in streetwear.
 
 



 
There is already a Khalifa and a rapper that have made the Pirates "P" logo more famous than Wiz Khalifa.
 

Bergs

funky and cold
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2005
21,627
Amy time you can improve your brand for the Latin Kings, you've gotta pull the trigger.
 

ngruz25

Bibby
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Sep 20, 2005
18,976
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Am I the only one who can't figure out what they are changing? I have always associated the "P" as the primary logo in my mind anyway and the pirate will continue to be on the sleeve. I guess they are just phasing it out from marketing and alternate caps etc?
 
edit: just read more carefully that the JR will still be on uniform "for time being", hence "phasing out"


It's the same thing that the Red Sox did a few years back. The hanging sox logo is now the primary logo, which goes on letterheads and press conference backgrounds and scorebugs and stuff. The round Sox baseball logo with the team name and city is now the secondary logo, which you barely see anymore.
 

YTF

Member
SoSH Member
drleather2001 said:
I would bet $100 that they will phase the pirate back in within 10 years. 
 
I feel like this is just a re-branding to sell more shirts, and they will juggle it around again later.
 
Bingo!!!! And I'm guessing it will take even less time. Assuming it will also be just a few more years before the Sox change their road unis again by reintroducing a little bit of red trim around the letters and numbers.  
 

Jimy Hendrix

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 15, 2002
5,846
I'm in Pittsburgh and I'd definitely say you see more 'P' hats around than pirate logo hats generally speaking.
 
On one hand, this is probably because Pittsburgh people love repping Pittsburgh and until recently did not love repping their loser Pirates, and that has started turning around recently so this might be a move already behind trends.
 
On the other hand, it's probably just a tweak reflecting the reality of ballcap sales numbers.
 

Doctor G

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 24, 2007
2,331
They don't own the pirate logo  that appears on the banners you see at the games. I believe it is public domain.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

has fancy plans, and pants to match
Dope
SoSH Member
Apr 12, 2001
24,548
Doctor G said:
They don't own the pirate logo  that appears on the banners you see at the games. I believe it is public domain.
 
Who doesn't? The Pirates? What logo is this? I doubt very much that the Pirates don't own their own logo.
 

mt8thsw9th

anti-SoSHal
SoSH Member
Jul 17, 2005
17,120
Brooklyn
John Marzano Olympic Hero said:
 
There is already a Khalifa and a rapper that have made the Pirates "P" logo more famous than Wiz Khalifa.
 
So who's the more famous Khalifa, or did you mean the utility infielder?