[image-1]Cleveland Scene is pleased to announce a design competition where you and/or your savviest art school compatriots get to design a new name and logo for the Cleveland baseball team.
That’s right.
Whether or not you’re personally offended by Chief Wahoo, the Indians’ embattled redfaced logo, let us not forget the deluge of national coverage during the MLB playoffs. The media focused on Wahoo as much as, if not more than, the Indians on the field.
And not without justification. Chief Wahoo is a controversial logo which many (including the editorial staff at this publication) find offensive. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced during the World Series that’d he be meeting with Indians’ ownership to discuss Chief Wahoo’s future. What that leads to is anyone’s guess.
In the spirit of turning over new leaves, and civic engagement, we thought a design competition might help out Manfred and the Dolans; we also thought it’d be a fun, interactive way for those who are opposed to the logo (and even those who are not, but who may be artistically inclined) to cook up some alternatives and help facilitate a smooth transition. 🙂
THE LOGISTICS:
WHO MAY ENTER: Anybody. Experience with art, sports, and/or graphic design may be to your advantage but it’s certainly not required.
HOW DOES ONE ENTER: Participants must submit the following: 1) A new team name. The Cleveland _________. (This may be a historic name or a current popular alternative — Spiders, Naps, Blues — or something completely new — Sea Bass; Wild Fire, Greens. 2) A primary logo for your chosen team name. 3) A primary uniform design based on this template or any other you can easily find on the ole internet. 4) A primary baseball cap design (likely just the logo in the middle of the cap). If you want to keep the block C, go right ahead. If you got something else in mind, go for it.
Send completed submissions to Staff Writer / Contest Coordinator Sam Allard (sallard at clevescene dot com) with CLEVELAND LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION_[YOUR NAME] as the subject line.
DATES: Submissions must be received by December 1. Two rounds of voting (by Scene readers and by a distinguished panel featuring Scene staffers and local arts/sports personalities) will declare the winners.
WINNERS: Top online vote getter will win two (2) third-row tickets to a mutually agreed upon Cavs game. Second-place vote getter and judging panel’s top pick will each win a $75 gift certificate to Mabel’s BBQ. The winner and runners up will be featured in an issue of Scene sometime this winter.
Additional questions may be sent to Sam Allard (sallard at clevescene dot com).
This article appears in Nov 9-15, 2016.
So spec work….. for free basically….. because you’re still going to show all the losers / close runners up etc too. Then in turn this is more free spec work for the Indians if they actually see the winner and like it. Lemme guess, Scene owns the rights to the work made as well?
Shady. Ya’ll can do better.
F^&k this contest and all you PC provocateurs! So tired of this PC bull$#!t It’s out of control. I have a contest for you…let’s run a contest to replace the “offended” editorial staff at the Scene. Count me in for that one!
I’ve got an idea, let’s design a flag the Lefties can burn so as not to denegrate the very country that provides them the right to burn a flag. Maybe when we work on that, we can get around to your Indians logo. Sound good?
The founding fathers fled British oppression, fought for a new life, and designed a governing document to outline the freedoms we stand for. They held a constitutional convention, created a declaration, and signed that document as a pledge to support freedom.
They DID NOT then burn the document they signed. What makes America Great is having the conviction to stand for something. Not the warped destructive desire to burn and tear down our culture and call that greatness.
Rename the team to the Rocks, then you can have a hardcore rock guy for the logo and mascot and every time someone talks about the team they will say Cleveland Rocks.
What on earth do you all think that Chief Wahoo has to do with flag burning? A majority of voters (well, ok, maybe not a true majority) elected Donald Trump. I don’t have to like it. But you get to loudly support him and that’s well within your rights. If a majority of fans wants a new logo, that seems to be the very height of democratic process and free speech. Stop moaning about your free speech rights. We get to use them, too.
Spec work hurts our industry in so many ways.
Designers, please don’t contribute to contests.
The Cleveland Americans and fly the red, white and blue!
Still beating this dead horse into dog food and glue, I see. But now you’re pissed that the vocal majority that says “Keep The Chief” is probably at 90%, so you’ve escalated your cause to a higher level. Okay, fine. Personally, I like the 1947 version of Wahoo, the one with the bigger schnozz, but whatever gets you guys through the night.
Go look up the Cleveland Rockers (former WNBA franchise) logo from the Nineties. The Indians were considering (although not very seriously), using the same name and a similar logo, just before the Rock Hall and their move to The Jake, but the hoopsters beat them to it.
How do I know this? I was working for the organization at the time.
Consider this my entry into your wholly unnecessary contest. If you like it and I make the cut, you probably have some way to reach me privately. I don’t need or want the Cavs tickets or the food voucher. If I win, just hire me as your copy editor and proofreader. I will bring ten years of magazine experience to the table…and you appear to need it.
Chuckles the Clown
The Cleveland Sentimentals: Because we felt so guilty about offending people who really didn’t mind.
Cleveland Rocks is actually pretty cool. Dancing Indians as our cheerleaders. Phase it in people phase it in not just change all at once!!!
Cleveland Hardhats. Because we voted for Hillary all by our hardheaded selves in Ohio.
The Cleveland Hy ballers. because we drink like maniacs in this town. What is the ratio of bars to residents? Like 4 to 1. Valet parking is like 3-1.
The Cleveland whites. NO! not because of that but to honor Michael white who built this town on Rock and Roll. Get your racist mind out of the gutter.
The Cleveland green. Because Irish don’t get offended at stupid looking logos. E. G. Notre dame.
Anyone who finds this offensive, including the editorial staff of this publication, can pack their shit and move right the fuck out of Cleveland… we are Cleveland and we have been the Cleveland Indians for over 100 years and will continue to be so moving forward, it baffles me how one can be so offended over a non-threatening logo. We do not disgrace the Native American race, nor do we use the logo in a derogatory manner. Offended people need to quit being a soft pussy and grow up, find something real to do with your lives, and get over it.
P.s. If you’re good at something, never do it for free. If you guys are so worried about something so trivial, why don’t you “try” and change this. Any true Clevelander will tell you the same. Bye Felicia
How about we can be Cleveland politically correct. A rainbow can be our symbol. In all seriousness, do you know it’s idiots that you that have created Donald Trump. When you try to become to civilized you become barbarians. I hope the Cleveland Indians scalp teams for decades to come.
Haven’t heard anyone bitching about Wahoo online in 2 solid weeks. Everyone’s too busy bitching about Trump. I’m sure they’ll be onto something new shortly. Your contest is a month late. Caring about Chief Wahoo is no longer in vogue for the “flavor of the week” online activists.
How about the Cleveland Political Corrects.?!!
Uniforms must be non-descript beige , No colors allowed ( no bloods or Cripps) , no peanuts ” allergies” , no colors ( could be gang symbols).
No bald players ( skinheads) , no dreadlocks, must have at least 3 female players, must importantly shortstop. Must have at least two tansvestite/transtesticles.
During the national anthem all attendees must pull down their pants and moon the USA.
In 1901 the team was the Bluebirds, which would add another team to the baseball aviary as well as fit with the existing red and blue color scheme. They were known as the Blues for short. How about Blue Sox, seeing as we have the Red and the White Sox? Maybe the Shredders, in the rock guitar sense of the word. Or Midges. Just to mess with the Yankees.
Rule of thumb: don’t use a racist caricature of a subjugated race of people for your company logo. Wahoo’s a racist caricature, simple as that. Do none of you recall effigies of Wahoo being burned by Native American protesters as early as ’93?
It’s also shitty. Can’t hide that fact.
Cleveland spiders!! Like we were named in the late 1800’s
As a creative person, you should be able to do something just for the fun of doing it. Money isn’t all that matters. I doubt the the Indians would ever consider using a name and logo from a contest anyway. I care nothing about making money from something like this, for me it’s my opportunity to create something that better represents Cleveland. Plus it just sounds fun as hell. Losen up.
With all due respect to those offended by the Chief. I have stated before, In numerous forums…WAHOO FOREVER. It is a cartoon mascot representing an imaginary character. It constantly reminds me of the deep history, magnificent culture, enduring tradition and pride of Native Americans. You think you got screwed?…We all live on Indian land. If I followed suit with these whiners, I would be offended by Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin. My cousin Louie would be offended by the mustached Italian chef giving the OK high sign on a pizza box. Please be activist in something productive.
Man I love all the conservative, anti-PC warriors out there that are so quick to call liberals butt hurt about a litany of things and then fly off the handle when someone suggests you change the logo of their favorite baseball team.
How about we leave it alone and move on to the next imagined racial injustice? How about you all get a life? How about if you don’t like it then don’t come to the games? Oh you don’t anyways? So why should anyone care about your opinion? There are offensive tv shows out there…how do you idiots handle it? You retreat to your safe spaces? Or do you change the channel?
The Cleveland Bowdlerizers!
Full name: “The Cleveland Native Americans.” The team would be referred to as “The Cleveland Americans.” This way, you keep the spirit of the original “mascot” while showing respect.
No one cares about the editorial staff’s feelings on this manner….what part of this don’t you understand? Did you not learn enough from this election cycle? The public does not need tour liberal agenda SHOVED DOWN OUR THROATS!!! There has never been a significant or legitimate protest from American Indians, who are the ONLY people who have the right to be offended by this logo….and guess what, THEY ARE NOT OFFENDED! So take your PC agenda and save it for a real cause. If you want to see a real protest, try to get the Wahoo removed from the Indians logo permanently. Then, my friends, you will see a REAL PROTEST!
Why does the name need changed? I didn’t think anyone was offended by the name. Indians is derogatory now?
Stupid fucking editors need something to do… they have to much time on their hands and not enough real journalism to do…
Just because YOU are not offended does not mean something isn’t offensive. Try listening to WHY other people are offended instead of just yelling about heritage and (the very loosely associated) patriotism. You say Native Americans are the only ones who can feel offended?? Google search “Native American Chief Wahoo protest” and see how many hits come up – they have been protesting the logos continued use for YEARS. It’s long past due to be changed.
PC Police! I’m Cherokee and Cheyenne- I’m fine with the way it is. Leave it!
I and many others grew up watching Cleveland baseball at Jacobs field. A homage to the Jake (I.E The Jake’s) would be nice.
I’d love a fresh logo — can’t wait to see the entries! For extra difficulty, people should be required to use Microsoft Paint 🙂
How about the Cleveland SUPER Indians with Chief Wahoo holding a bottle of malt liquor smoking a peace pipe clutching Indian gaming pamphlets? If you don’t like Wahoo THEN DON’T WATCH OR GO TO THE GAMES! Total losers my GOD let this go! If Trump getting elected President should have given you one damn message it’s that people are 100% sick of political correctness.
Cleveland Binaries…
for a logo … simply…
01000011 01101100 01100101 01110110 01100101 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01001001 01101110 01100100 01101001 01100001 01101110 01110011
And we can chant:
01101100 01100101 01110100 01110011 00100000 01100111 01101111 00100000 01110100 01110010 01101001 01100010 01100101
@Kim Ogrin, American Indians have been opposing the logo for years, and yes we are offended by the logo. So please, don’t try to speak for us. It’s the logo that is offensive, not the name. And if you really don’t believe that an caricature of an Indian with ridiculously red skin, is offensive, you should reexamine your opinions on race.
This not about all you dumb white mouth breathers with racist opinions, it is about taking responsibility, having some humanity, and trying to lessen the hegemonic force that has destroyed this countries indigenous people. Just buy the new T shirt, drink 30 bud lights, bone your ugly wife once a year and shut up. Maybe cry about that instead of impeding any sort of cultural evolution.
-Alex, 29, White Male, Woke Jedi
As this is about the eleventeenth rename/redesign the Cleveland Indians name/logo contest I expect it will have the same negligible impact as all the other previous ones. That being said, anyone who is really honestly offended by the logo should take up a collection and buy-out the ballclub for the trademark rights. The logo is listed as an asset known as intellectual intangible property on the team’s financial books, and as the Dolans are always ready to make a buck they will certainly listen to any reasonable offers. Then once it is sold the new owners can retire Chief Wahoo themselves. Easy peasy.
@andy the Jedi…you mentioned the Jedi thing but you left out the “Virgin who lives in his parents basement”. Can’t believe you would comment on this after I have known you for so long. You use to love th chief….and men. Not that there is anything wrong with that:
Can we change it to American Indians if we have to change the name.
If you’re going to insult someone, learn to spell the insult first.
And anyone who still uses “libtard” can go fuck themselves.
Chuckles the Clown
Why in the H*** are you even encouraging your reading public to participate in a change that is NOT NECESSARY? Why would Paul Dolan phase out the Chief when it is a cash cow and always will be? Use your creativity to create works that will make all of CLE better . PC is a JOKE and i am not a ROBOT but an actual person typing this
I don’t draw but what about Cleveland Natives and keep the feather and colors
I am nearly 1/2 Native American and I am proud of Chief Wahoo! I’m disappointed to be losing him. I have never been offended by him & neither has my family!
I love all the people who suddenly become part Native American when the subject turns to Wahoo. Please stop acting like you just finished walking the Trail of Tears yesterday. Even if you really are part Cherokee or whatever that doesn’t suddenly make you a spokesperson for real Native Americans.
Fuck You! We have a logo!
Fuck you! We have a logo!
This is BS—this “contest” has nothing to with the Cleveland Indians as a team or company.
I am American Indian and I don’t find the team name or the logo, in and of itself, offensive.
What is offensive is idiots taking liberty with the name and logo to dress themselves in moronic “Indian costumes” and and behave “in character”.
If people wouldn’t take the logo and extend it to offensive behavior, I doubt this controversy would exist. But, somehow, people think that the name/logo gives them permission to insult American Indians with their patronizing costumes and behavior. That is the real issue. Imagine if a team name/logo was construed to give idiots permission to ridicule your grandparents culture/religion/beliefs. It’s a real issue….. and has absolutely nothing to do with “PC” or with flag burning.
Since the idiots are entitled to their “free speech” and allowed to have no respect or common sense that their behavior is insulting – and are apparently beyond learning this simple lesson – the solution is to battle the name/logo.
If the idiots could be “fixed” than the problem would be solved… and the logo not challenged.
The Cleveland organization already has rules in place (as do most professional sports teams in this PC era)prohibiting the wearing of “indecent or obscene” clothing. No more “Yuck the Fankees” or even anything with “sucks” in the message.
All that is needed is a ban on “Indian costumes”…the headdresses, the redface, etc. anywhere on “Tribe” property…and the practice would stop.
Imagine paying an enormous sum for a playoff or World Series ticket and then being told to either ditch the offensive gear or go home. A verbal kick in the ass by those who object to the gear will not work. But a kick in the wallet by Tribe management certainly will.
The Chief has never bothered me, but the ridiculous costumes certainly do. Save that crap for high school football contests and college Saturdays down in the benighted South. Once the organization gets off its ass and begins to deny admission to these idiots, all that crap would soon disappear, and it would be no great loss.
Also, the media in the rest of the country would finally stop ridiculing Cleveland fans for the actions of a few attention-whoring shmucks.
Chuckles the Clown
Most people on this thread are operating on the false assumption that no new idea could possibly be better than an old one.
Why use machines when you can churn butter by hand? Why get an iPhone when the Motorola Razr is so fucking sweet? Why rename the team the Cleveland Indians when the Naps or Spiders are just fine?
Being unwilling to even consider a new idea can actually expose that the old idea has weaknesses. If people are irrationally afraid of a new idea coming along, it’s usually because they know deep inside that the current idea has flaws that could be exposed. Humans don’t like having the worldview challenged, but when those with ideas bring them forth anyway, those same humans lives are often improved (or not negatively affected).
Don’t believe me? Remember that stating the earth revolved around the sun used to cost you your head. Remember that before Henry Ford people would have tried making a faster horse.
And remember that people all across America think Heinz Yellow Mustard tastes great on a hot dog until they come to Cleveland and try Bertman’s for the first time.
And yet nobody is bent out of shape by the washington redskins??
Don’t touch a thing except double the size of the greatest, most endearing, coolest logo in sports.
Divert the energy of this exercise in futility toward making it a safer world.
I suppose if our logo was a caricature of a black guy everyone would be okay with it?
Anyway, I thought this contest was just for fun, not to make a statement. It’s not like they’re using the winner to actually change the team.
I would just tweet how dumb this is but im already blocked by this liberal douchbag of a magazine lol. Worst part is i used to love to read the music reviews until their feelings got so hurt because I disagreed with them #keepdachief
This seems to be a case of the 10% minority screaming and the 90% majority is going to pay for it. What happened to democracy? I personally love chief wahoo. All the players past are a part of its history. I have spoken to many people, yes including Native Americans, that are just fine with it. Yes, some are offended. You can look at anything in this world and you will find a 10% faction that will be offended and demand PC. Where does it stop? KEEP THE CHIEF!!
After going thru have of the threads for and against Chief Wahoo, I get this nauseated feeling every time and usually only can get through half of them. Let me say this. I am, Native American Indian. Cherokee Descent. We as Native American Indians did not become citizens of our great country, until 1924. and in some states, we were not able to vote until 1957. Let that sink in for a minute. After everything that said and done to the Native American Indian, There are people out there who act like we don`t exist, We do. We do think Chief Wahoo stereotypes us.. He does not represent us any shape or form. and its for Cleveland get rid of it. It is a disparaging, negative caricature of a negative image of a Native American Indian. it is time to get rid of it..
I grew up knowing that the Indians’ name and logo was a tribute to the Cuyahoga Indians. (Oh, let’s see–should we go ahead and re-name the river? Perhaps Chemical Burning River?) Chief Wahoo is red, white, and blue, is he not? And GRINNING! What could better represent Cleveland? There is so much to be proud of instead of detracting from success, wonderfulness, and BELIEVEing!
Confining an entire race of people within the context of what constitutes a team mascot is not only wrong, but is not American. Why not consult the leaders of whats left of the tribal nations to vote.