Since the OL Groupe takeover, there has been plenty of change followed by the backlash. But despite the criticism, Reign FC's new chairman Jean-Michel Aulas keeps pushing change for his new brand.
The first change was, of course, the takeover by Aula's business group followed by the hiring of French manager, Farid Benstiti. This appointment set the whole Reign FC community on fire due to past allegations of him disparaging USWNT member Lindsey Horan for her body appearance during her time at PSG.
Now, the community is back in flames after news surfaced about a logo change. The design submitted can only be seen in black and white, so this gives no indicator of what the colors will be. They might keep the current colors or go with Olympique Lyonnais traditional dark blue, white and red. The font is similar to the old Reign FC font and the lettering has been changed to "OL Reign." Under the lettering is a design of a lion facing left.
So this showed up in the USPTO database overnight. Don't assume anything about colors, since all entries there are b&w #RFC253 #NWSL pic.twitter.com/yYc8TAJAlv
— Steve Voght (@voght) January 31, 2020
Nonetheless, the OL Groupe is back with another change and it's time to grab some popcorn, kick back and enjoy the reactions of people in social media.
Fans clearly can't stand it.
I just. I can't. I just can't
— NWSL tech support (@nwsltechsupport) January 14, 2020
Reign FC, one of the best badges in the league, is gonna rebrand _BEFORE PROOF LOUISVILLE_
This fan is either plastic or doing everything she can – even proposing the idea to stop supporting her club – to keep the original logo.
Honestly, if they're that willing to trash the whole identity of the club, I can't speak for anyone else but I think I'd be looking for another club to support. Heartbreaking.
— Gen Williams (@genwilliams) January 14, 2020
Sorry to break it to you but it is a big cat-themed crest.
I hope so. I hope it's subtle. I DEFINITELY hope we don't wind up with YET ANOTHER big cat-themed team pic.twitter.com/SsL3OhF3yq
— NWSL tech support (@nwsltechsupport) January 14, 2020
Now we have four lions… Yay?
Four if you consider Orlando's name is based off of the lion imagery of their men's side
— Steve Voght (@voght) January 31, 2020
Joshua has the most elaborate and correct tweet of them all. Well done man!
#NWSL Meh. Staying on brand is good for OL, but a lion doesn't communicate the same "royalty" in the US as it might in France. And it erases the powerful women's identity of the current crest. Had hoped they would simply add OL to the name
— (((Joshua Newman))) (@NewmanWA) January 31, 2020
Financial takeover vibes…
Please don't. The reign have such a good logo already. We do need it turning into some B team new York read bulls.
— UnforgivenPotato (@UnforgivenTater) January 31, 2020
The French find it "interesting."
Intéressant. J'aime
— Hady Raphaël (@SoccerenFolie) January 31, 2020
It's official. New graphic game, "weak." Thank you, Lewis, for closing this chain of tweets with style.
Not a fan.. graphic seems "weaker" than current logo...
— Lewie (@ewuLewie) January 31, 2020