Should Pigeons Be The Official Mascot?

[Jon]

Tried to see if this has been debated before but couldn't find much.

I know we've seen it in the scarf series and the team seems to embrace it. It's not the most majestic of animals but they're certainly a symbol of the city.

With us playing the Loons this weekend I'd love to know if people want NYCFC to adopt the pigeon as their official mascot and incorporate into the team, apparel, etc.

 

[NickFromAstoria]

I don't think it should be an official mascot, but I love the fact that the club has given it a quasi-official status and hope it stays that way.

 

[LionNYC]

Official, no. Just like English isn't the official language of the U.S.

Man City has the Cityzens and those space creatures from whatever planet (Blue Moon) they came from as their mascots which is as cute as Olympic/World Cup mascots can get.

I don't want a guy in a giant pigeon costume walking around Yankee Stadium. It will scare the children.

We will NEVER have a mascot.

 

[mgarbowski]

It's come up a lot although maybe never had its own thread. There's no consensus. It might be the single most popular option ever considered, but lots of folks passionately hate it. I think if you gave people 3 choices A. Yes, B. No and C. I could accept it but prefer not, I bet the order would be C, A, B.

 

[Jon]

Official, no. Just like English isn't the official language of the U.S.

Man City has the Cityzens and those space creatures from whatever planet (Blue Moon) they came from as their mascots which is as cute as Olympic/World Cup mascots can get.

I don't want a guy in a giant pigeon costume walking around Yankee Stadium. It will scare the children.

We will NEVER have a mascot.

I'm not saying we should be known as the NYC Pigeons instead of NYCFC but Orlando incorporates the lion into their logo. It's done tastefully. I think they have a mascot and in no way do I want to see a guy in a pigeon costume strutting around Yankee Stadium, but I think the team could do more to incorporate into t-shirt, stadium signage, etc.

 

[Ulrich]

I'm not saying we should be known as the NYC Pigeons instead of NYCFC but Orlando incorporates the lion into their logo. It's done tastefully. I think they have a mascot and in no way do I want to see a guy in a pigeon costume strutting around Yankee Stadium, but I think the team could do more to incorporate into t-shirt, stadium signage, etc.

Our logo is spoken for.... we are The Tokens!!!!

 

[sbrylski]

No. Nicknames should be and should remain organic and living things.

Today we are the "Pigeons." Tomorrow, we might be the "MechaPigeons." In a decade, we might be the "Iron Horde" playing in the old Iron Triangle of Willets Point.

 

[Vallos]

I despise the association and cringe each time I see/hear it. Unfortunately it has taken root, but I look forward to that day when its weeded out!

 

[mgarbowski]

I'm not saying we should be known as the NYC Pigeons instead of NYCFC but Orlando incorporates the lion into their logo. It's done tastefully. I think they have a mascot and in no way do I want to see a guy in a pigeon costume strutting around Yankee Stadium, but I think the team could do more to incorporate into t-shirt, stadium signage, etc.

There was that scarf. And occasionally they incorporate it into tweets, etc. I think they are tentatively embracing it but are wary of pushing it too hard.

 

[Jon]

Do you think the generic FC hurts with brand identity? I don't have an answer and I don't think naming the team Pigeons will help but as shitty as the name is, I think most people in the tri-state area know red bulls as a soccer team. When you say NYCFC half the people look at you confused.

 

[SoupInNYC]

As with what most have said, I don't want it to become official at all.

But I do love the nickname and every game I attend, I'm there with my blue pigeon NY-state shirt. I love that its organic, and I don't mind the team occasionally referencing it (as in the scarf they did). But I definitely don't want it to be officially incorporated into the team.

 

[LionNYC]

I'm not saying we should be known as the NYC Pigeons instead of NYCFC but Orlando incorporates the lion into their logo. It's done tastefully. I think they have a mascot and in no way do I want to see a guy in a pigeon costume strutting around Yankee Stadium, but I think the team could do more to incorporate into t-shirt, stadium signage, etc.

I'm not saying that either. Pigeons is fine just went its casually mentioned once in a while. Because I think that fans would riot if Cityzens took hold as our unofficial name rather than Pigeons.

 

[NickA]

I wish I could kill every single pigeon in this city. I hate them all with a passion. I would forever refuse to refer to anything regarding this team as 'pigeons'.

 

[Tom in Fairfield CT]

 

[Vallos]

Jon, perhaps its better to adjust the poll to reflect those that like the connotation, but do not want it official. That maybe a better gauge of how the forum feels about the nickname.

 

[NickFromAstoria]

In a decade, we might be the "Iron Horde" playing in the old Iron Triangle of Willets Point.

As long as we can pair them with Gatsby's Old Sports as new SGs of course.

 

[roxfontaine]

Unofficial all the way. Trust me when I say this:

If you like the pigeon, I got you...

 

[LionNYC]

As long as we can pair them with Gatsby's Old Sports as new SGs of course.

More jazz in the pregame music!

 

[Jon]

Unofficial all the way. Trust me when I say this:

If you like the pigeon, I got you...

I'm not saying I love the pigeon, but from a brand recognition standpoint I think it's something causal fans or new fans could identify. I'm sure people could think of something better though.

 

[roxfontaine]

I'm not saying I love the pigeon, but from a brand recognition standpoint I think it's something causal fans or new fans could identify. I'm sure people could think of something better though.

Of course. Love it or hate it, it's easily recognizable and not embraced by any other sports team in NYC. I've always liked it. I love what Omari does with it. We use it on our Light Rail merch. It just makes sense to incorporate it here and there.