When Oklahoma City’s professional soccer club returns to play in 2027, it will do so under a new name.
The club’s ownership group, through its OKC For Soccer initiative, launched on Wednesday a “Name the Team” campaign. Through a survey, open now through the end of January, fans will be able to suggest names and color schemes for the professional soccer team formerly known as Energy FC.
“It’s such a rare opportunity to name a professional sports team, and we can’t wait to see what fans come up with,” said Court Jeske, president of OKC for Soccer. “We always want the club to reflect and represent our ambitious city. Getting the team name and colors right is integral to that commitment. We know the OKC community is full of creativity and local pride, and we can’t wait to see it revealed throughout this process.”
The survey asks fans for up to three name suggestions as well as primary and secondary color suggestions.
It also asks fans for their “preferred naming structure.”
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OKC for Soccer also announced that it has partnered with Matthew Wolff, a renowned sports brand designer who worked with MLS clubs like LAFC and the Chicago Fire, as well as NWSL clubs including NJ/NY Gotham FC, Racing Louisville and the San Diego Wave.
At Nike, Wolff designed the World Cup uniforms for the French and Nigerian national teams.
“My goal is always to create an identity that’s long lasting and that properly reflects the community,” Wolff said in a news release. “The OKC for Soccer project is unique, and I’m looking forward to helping the club create a visual identity for the men’s team that really resonates with people in OKC and beyond.”
The club, upon its return, will also feature a women’s team for the first time. The women’s team could have its own brand.
While fans could theoretically vote to bring back the Energy FC name, that seems like a long shot as the club enters a new era.
Energy FC, a member of the USL Championship, suspended operations in 2022. In July, Echo, an Oklahoma City-based investment firm founded by Christian Kanady, purchased a majority stake in the club.
Echo donated the land in south Bricktown on which a soccer stadium, part of MAPS 4, and surrounding district will be built.
Construction on the 12,300-seat stadium will begin this year.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
