Adam J Locascio, Arenafan.com
Sunday January 6, 2008

Link below:
http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=origcol&writer=76&article=2706


What's in a name?

It looks like the Storm has disappeared.

Well, from their helmets, anyway.

The Tampa Bay Storm will sport a slightly new look when they take the
field March 1 in Kansas City to take on the Brigade. Gone from their
helmets will be the familiar "Tampa Bay Storm" text logo with the
familiar hurricane swirl replacing the "O" in Storm.

The Storm's helmet will instead feature an oversized blue swirl with
no text on the sides. The color scheme will remain the same as the
helmet will continue to be the familiar metallic gold with a royal
blue "storm" swirl.

The change was confirmed by Storm Public Relations Director Jim
Robinson.

According to Robinson, team color and logo changes must be submitted
to the league with 18 months notice in order to give marketing ample
time to adjust the templates needed to produce t-shirts, hats, and
other fan memorabilia.

The Storm was purchased by local Tampa surgeon Dr. Robert Nucci on
December 8, 2007. The logo change was not related to the change in
ownership.

The Storm and the Nashville Kats were the last two teams to
incorporate actual text in the logo on their helmets. With the Kats'
franchise's dissolution and the change to the Storm's helmets, the
AFL's helmets are now text-free.

As far as merchandise is concerned, there shouldn't be any major
changes to the design of Storm gear; however, there should be a
greater selection of items simply because Russell Athletic's contract
with the AFL has been in place for a year.

"There should be more options this year," said Robinson.

This will be the fourth change of the Storm's helmet since their
inception in 1990. The Storm's helmet started off as a lighter shade
of blue and the "swirl" was originally an "O" with a lightning bolt
through the middle. The helmet then changed to silver before moving
to its more familiar gold color.

The Storm have yet to receive their new helmets.

***

Adam J. Locascio is a financial advisor in the Tampa Bay area and a
Board Member of the Tampa Bay Storm Surge Fan Club. He holds a
Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Phoenix and is a
six-year season ticket holder for the Tampa Bay Storm.