Rufnex. Is there a reason that your team are the Athletics and not the Roughnecks?
Owners thought the "Roughnecks" name had been dragged through the mud in the 90s.
I agree. And most all of our fans agreed that if an NPSL amateur team called itself the Roughnecks, it would be taken as a joke.
Many of them feel the same way about this USL Pro team calling itself the Roughnecks... USL Pro is Division 3 soccer, NPSL is Division 4.
You certainly have the passion of someone who truly loved Tulsa's team of the past. Your team I believe came first on the scene. So I would figure with the name available (or maybe not) that it would be a no brainer to keep the logo and history right here under local leadership and people who genuinely care. Now I have no knowledge of Trademark Law or any idea what it takes to bring back fond memories with a business or franchise. But I loved the Roughnecks of the past and I totally understand where your passion is coming from.
The old logo itself is public domain. The Athletics wanted to turn the page and honestly would rather just retire the name "Roughnecks" altogether.
The new NASL (2010) is one level below MLS and had trademark rights to the Roughnecks name (among others) until about a year ago.
Bob Funk Jr.'s OKC Energy secured the trademark rights to Tulsa Roughnecks FC in their fight with Brad Lund's OKC FC group that is slated to play in the NASL in 2015... in Yukon, OK.
Brad Lund got his uncle Jeff to recruit ownership for a new Tulsa Roughnecks in the new NASL and also wanted the trademark... the Athletics got stuck in the middle of that fight.
So other than built in immediate ticket sales for this new venture. I see no need for them to be called the Roughnecks if they are wanting a whole new logo and colors. What will be sad is when they dig deep in their pockets and trot out our beloved former players wearing this new gawd awful logo and colors for meet and greet autograph day at the stadium.
My thoughts exactly.