A Migrant Franchise: The Early Years
The Washington Wizards have had many identities over the years. The franchise was originally founded in 1961 as the Chicago Packers, only to change their name a year later to the Zephyrs. 1963 saw them pack their bags and move to Baltimore where they became the Baltimore Bullets. 10 years later in 1973 they would finally find a permanent home in Washington, DC - first as the Washington Capital Bullets, then shortening the name to Washington Bullets in 1974.
Nickname Controversy
In 1995, then-owner Abe Pollin made the decision to change the Bullets nickname because of perceived violent connotations to the name. Voting for a new team nickname was held, and the choices were Dragons, Express, Stallions, Sea Dogs (SEA DOGS?!?), and Wizards. Final votes were counted and Washington's basketball team would now be known as the Wizards. 1995 saw the Bullets change their name as well as their iconic red, white, and blue colors for blue, gold, and black, changes that coincided with a move into a brand new arena in downtown Washington, DC. 1995 was certainly the beginning of a new era for the team. The decision to change the team's nickname met a largely negative reception and is still a hotly debated topic amongst fans to this day. The blue, gold, and black Washington Wizards struggled greatly with forming a new identity, and fans grew apathetic watching a team they no longer recognized and associated with the nation's capital. It didn't help that the team was a perennial loser for over a decade, with the exception of a few brief playoff appearances. When owner Abe Pollin passed away in 2009, many clamored for a return to the Bullets nickname. New ownership agreed to meet the fans halfway, unveiling a brand change that while keeping the Wizards name, restored the team's original red, white, and blue colors and script that resembled the classic Bullets font type. Since the team's re-brand in 2011 they have even gradually phased out the literal Wizard in their logo, opting instead to emphasize "DC." This choice has many fans wondering if another name change could be on the horizon? This team has had many already, why not one more?
