From the “Seriously?” files, it sounds like the Toronto Maple Leafs might use a new logo and uniform during the 2016-17 season.
(No, it’s probably not a rendering of Steven Stamkos smiling with a bunch of money.)
Sports Logos.net’s Chris Creamer was the first to report the potential change:
Breaking: SportsLogosNet confirms Toronto Maple #Leafs getting new logo & uniforms in 2016: https://t.co/8IAqiPQIY8 pic.twitter.com/r2fadPau9Z
— Chris Creamer (@sportslogosnet) December 13, 2015
TSN’s Frank Seravalli points out that Creamer has broken uniform/logo news before, while Rick Westhead adds more fuel to the fire:
The Leafs will have new uniforms next season (many fans will like the changes) but move won't be a huge $ maker. NHL teams live/die from tix
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) December 13, 2015
Interesting that Westhead went out of his way to note that some fans might like it, huh?
The Leafs/MLSE didn’t confirm or deny these rumors to Sportsnet, merely saying “We will be announcing centennial plans in the new year.”
Do note that they still didn’t exactly say “Yes, we’re making a change,” either ... so you never know.
As unthinkable as this seems at first, the Buds aren’t exactly shooting this down. It’s also important to note that, as iconic as this team’s scheme and logo may be, it’s not exactly as if it’s never gone through changes.
New #Leafs logo replaces one in use since 1970; 45 years, no cups. Not the best era.
— Chris Creamer (@sportslogosnet) December 13, 2015
More: https://t.co/8IAqiPQIY8 pic.twitter.com/p3tGSgJdON
Granted, it’s been a long, long time.
If nothing else, it’s provided some entertainment on the Internet.
Suggestion for Leafs new logo... pic.twitter.com/fNiV0t1pE1
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) December 13, 2015