COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — The Indoor Football League announced Tuesday Columbus' new team will be called the Wild Dogs.
The announcement was made Tuesday evening at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The team said more than 1,000 name suggestions were submitted during its Name the Team contest last fall. Team owner, Steve Germain and his family also worked closely with the Columbus Zoo to come up with the team name.
"Today is another great day for our organization," Germain said. "This process was long and drawn out, but only because we had so many great options and ideas that were offered to us by our great fans. In the end, there were some very strong and creative names left on the cutting room floor, but the identity that we have come up with is entirely unique, bold, and brash, just like the exuberance of our fans here in Columbus."
Germain said the team name also sheds light on one of the world's most endangered animals. There are less than 6,000 wild dogs left in their native regions of Africa. The Wilds has celebrated the arrivals of two litters of the African wild dogs over the past few years.
The team also revealed the team's log, colors, uniforms and helmets.
The Wild Dogs logo designs and other brand elements were designed by local Columbus artist Sam Fout and The Remedy, a national brand strategy agency based in Frisco, TX.
The team's colors are ruthless red, grasslands gold, Saharan taupe, pitch black and safari white.
The team's black helmet feature the Wild Dog logo on the front and is one of the most unique in the league, the team said.
Columbus Wild Dogs helmets. (Columbus Wild Dogs)
The home uniform includes a black jersey with a large Wild Dog logo on each shoulder. The pants include a side panel with the Wild Dogs' mottled coat pattern.
The away uniform includes the mottled coat pattern dominantly displayed on the pants and shoulders.
Columbus Wild Dogs uniforms. (Columbus Wild Dogs)
The Wild Dogs also announced the launch of their community initiative, Wild About The Community. The Wild Dogs organization understands that part of its responsibility to Columbus is to be a great partner in serving the community.
