MLS FC Dallas

Dallas Burn announces organization will change name

Published on June 16, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


DALLAS (June 15, 2004) – The Dallas Burn, along with Hunt Sports Group (HSG) founder Lamar Hunt, announced today that the team will change its name and image to coincide with the organization's move in 2005 to the sparkling new 20,000 seat soccer specific stadium at the Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center.

Hunt emphasized that the change is being made to create a fresh, new, vibrant team identity that encompasses the image of the new facility as well as the roots of the game in North Texas, the United States and around the world.

Upon Major League Soccer's inception in 1996, the development of team names was a cooperative effort between the league and each team's respective licensee. The Dallas Burn name originated as a result of the organization's affiliation as a league operated team.

In light of HSG assuming operation of the team in 2003, the opportunity now exists to create a team name and identity that will be representative of the investor's vision for the team, the traditions of the sport, and the Hunt family legacy in soccer, which dates back to 1967.

"The new Dallas MLS team name has been selected, and we will be representative of the nature of the sport and will, we believe, be all-inclusive for those who follow the game," said Hunt. "While the Burn has certainly enjoyed its share of success in the league's first eight plus years, we feel now is the appropriate time to select a new team name that is more synonymous with the sport and one that all fans can identify with and rally around."

"HSG executives worked in tandem with key members of the Dallas Burn front office staff and we believe that we have settled on a name that our fans will embrace," said HSG President John Wagner. "Because of licensing deadlines for the 2005 season, we needed to move ahead in an aggressive manner and identify the new team name. However, we still want to involve our fans in the process, so we have created the ‘Dallas Soccer – Guess the Name' contest."

Here's how the contest will work:

· The public is invited to participate in the "Dallas Soccer Guess the Name" contest which will run from June 15th to 8:00 a.m. CT on July 31, 2004.

· Official entries may be submitted in three ways:

1) via letter or postcard to "Dallas Soccer – Guess the Name" Contest, 14800 Quorum Drive, #300, Dallas, TX 75254

2) via email to guessthename@dallasburn.com

3) at www.dallasburn.com

· All entries must include the contestant's guess of the new team name, plus each entry must include the contestant's name, address, e-mail address, phone number, date of birth and a tiebreaker guess to reflect the announced attendance of the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game (to be held July 31).

· The winning entry will receive two sideline reserve seats for all 2005 MLS regular season and playoff matches played at the new Frisco Stadium. Also, he/she will be permanently identified at a place of honor at the new Frisco Stadium.

· All entries which select the correct name but do not win the tiebreaker aspect of the contest drawing, will receive two complimentary ticket vouchers to one of five designated 2005 regular season home matches. While fans can enter as many times as possible, rules stipulate that there can only be one winner per household.

· In addition, all contestants who submit an entry will receive a voucher for a complimentary ticket to the Burn match vs. San Jose on October 16, 2004. This match will be the last regular season match in Burn history.

· The HSG organization will provide the sole personnel to judge the contest and all entries will upon receipt become the property of HSG. All decisions of the judges are final. For a complete set of rules, go to www.dallasburn.com.

"A pair of season tickets for the 2005 season in our new Frisco Stadium is a significant prize for the winner," said Burn President and General Manager Greg Elliott. "The name has been selected and will remain confidential until early August, but we feel it is important to keep the fans in the Metroplex involved with the process. Hopefully they will have a lot of fun with us in this contest."

Hunt, in his 45th year of association with professional sports and his second as Investor / Operator of the Dallas Burn, said that announcement of the new team name will likely occur during the week of August 9.

The current Dallas Burn name will be applicable to all team activities until the conclusion of the entire 2004 MLS season.

The Dallas Burn is currently in their ninth season in MLS and plays its home matches at the Cotton Bowl in historic Fair Park. The next home game is June 26, 2004 when Freddy Adu and his D.C. United teammates face the Dallas Burn at 3:00PM. For Dallas Burn ticket information, call 214-979-0303 or visit the Burn website at www.dallasburn.com.

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