the Second City's Second Teams
Four new sport teams in football, hockey, basketball, and soccer should be created for chicago. the city has sufficient size and cultural density to support two teams in every major sports league.
NFL: Chicago Cardinals
The Chicago Cardinals will be an AFC team playing in either the North or East Division. The benefit of the North Division is that Chicago will be playing amongst its peers in the wider Midwest region. The benefit of the East Division is that Chicago will be playing against East Coast cities and will attract countrywide attention. The name takes its precedent from the real world Arizona Cardinals which originally were founded in Chicago. This version of the team is named for Roman Catholic Cardinals. This is reflected in the red circle on the top towards the back of the helmet. The naming rights will have to be bought from the Arizona Cardinals.
NHL: Chicago Columbians
The Chicago Columbians will be a Western Conference team playing in the Central Division. The benefit of the Central Division is that Chicago will have its two hockey teams directly competing against each other, the same as in New York and Los Angeles. The name is taken from the 1892 World Columbian Exposition. Further, the rivalry between Chicago’s original team, the Blackhawks, and Chicago’s upstart team, the Columbians, would poetically represent a microcosm of American Indians being in the new world before the creation of the United States of America.
NBA: Chicago zephyrs
The Chicago Zephyrs will be a Eastern Conference team playing in the Central Division. The benefit of the Central Division is that Chicago will be playing amongst its peers in the wider Midwest region, including the Chicago Bulls within the city. The name takes its precedent from the real world Washington Wizards which originally were founded in Chicago and were briefly known as the Chicago Zephyrs. Additionally, the name is inspired from the California Zephyr train that ran from Chicago to Sacramento. The cobalt blue shade is taken from the Chicago L Blue line.
MLS: Chicago Byzantine FC
The Chicago Byzantine FC will be a Western Conference team playing in the Central Division. By having the Chicago Byzantine FC in a separate conference from Chicago Byzantine FC, Chicago will be the only city in the country to straddle both the Eastern and Western Conferences. This placement will make Chicago into the city where all other MLS teams spend at least part of their regular season in the city, increasing its exposure. The name is inspired from the United States carrying itself as a successor to the Roman Empire. The name “Byzantine” is meant to mark a symbolic distinction between the pagan empire before Constantine and the Christian empire that came after. The original United States drew its legitimacy from moral ambiguity; the new vision for America will draw its legitimacy from Christian morality. The symbol has the Chicago Star with a Chi-Rho symbol placed within it, slightly breaking the boundary. The Chi-Rho alludes to Rome and reemphasizes the importance of Christ. The hope is that by affirming Christ and his message, genuine talent may be attracted to the team, knowing that they are playing to honor God.
MLB: Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox is an American League team playing in the Central Division. At the time of writing, the Chicago White Sox just completed the worst season in MLB history. For a lesser team, such a sad state would prompt questions of moving the team. However, with such a legendary and endearing team, the Chicago White Sox have proven their resiliency, and fans have proven their loyalty. The Chicago White Sox is the only team that makes Chicago a two-team city. Their importance cannot be understated. In that vein, the team must be strengthened to become a cultural powerhouse of Chicago, transcending a Chicago fanbase and establishing itself as the Midwest’s team and as America’s team.
Growing up as a New York Mets fan, I was grateful to not be a New York Yankees fan. It informed my identity of not having to win everyday, but at least once in a while. That being said, I am grateful to have grown up during the time of George Steinbrenner, Derek Jeter, and Aaron Judge. Their prowess provided a resolute team in a time when New York and America needed it most. The Chicago White Sox must seek to emulate the New York Yankees in their prowess on the field, but also in their cultural ubiquity the world over. There should be unmistakable Chicago White Sox hats from Firebaugh to Belgrade, even worn by people whom have never seen the team.
Throughout the history of the Chicago White Sox, their logo, colors, and brand has changed several times. In taking on this new approach, the brand should change as well. The symbol is changed to a C cut with a 60 degree angle with a Chicago Star in the middle to line up with the cut. The color is changed to Marian Blue, and the socks should remain white.
This has both precedent in Chicago’s past and is evident in the present. The city once supported the Chicago Cardinals in the NFL and the Chicago Packers/Zephyrs in the NBA. currently, the city supports two MLB teams with the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox. Furthermore, the chicago Wolves in the AHL have been having substantial turnout.
venues and broadcasting
White City Garden
The White City Garden will be a mixed-use sports arena for the Chicago Columbians and the Chicago Zephyr.
New soldier field
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sounds like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest.
Marquee
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sounds like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest.
why these teams matter
Chicago’s preexisting teams have a storied history and fanbase dedication that is envied across their respective leagues. These new teams cannot compete sentimentally with Chicago’s teams, but they are not meant to. These new teams are meant to be broadcast countrywide to become America’s teams in their respective sports.
The Atlanta Braves were the first nationally broadcasted team. Due to this, Braves fans are now countrywide with dedicated fans anywhere there was not a home team. The Braves became one of MLB’s most recognized teams, and the cultural popularity assisted in Atlanta’s rise to being one of America’s fastest growing metro areas. Atlanta and its way of life was no longer limited to its region, but became nationalized. Its culture was spread far and wide through the power of media.
Chicago and the Midwest way of life will become nationalized. By broadcasting these teams to a national audience, these teams will not become Chicago’s teams, but will become America’s teams. By having teams that are more accessible to follow, more Americans will become familiar with those teams and the culture around those teams. This will then entice Americans to follow the Chicago and wider Midwest way of life. Rather than referencing the Upper West Side, Harlem, or Hoboken for New York or Westwood, the Valley, or Venice Beach for Los Angeles, these teams will reference Naperville, Evanston, and the New East Side for Chicago. An idea of Chicago being an idyllic place rich with culture and opportunity will be created that will eventually entice countless people to move to the wider metro area, raising the prosperity of all communities in and around Chicago.
bonus
NFL: St. Louis Trivex
Chicago cannot be complete without a team to represent their greatest rival of St. Louis.
The St. Louis Trivex will be an NFC team playing in the North Division. The benefit of the North Division is that St. Louis will be able to directly compete with other rival Midwest cities. The name “Trivex” is an abbreviation of “tria vexilla,” Latin for “three flags,” representing the three flags that historically flew over St. Louis being Spain, France, and America. The helmet depicts the Flag of St. Louis.
