Boston’s 2026 NWSL franchise introduced Friday that it’s going to formally change its identify following a highly-ridiculed launch final fall.
The workforce announced itself in October as BOS Nation FC — an anagram for “Bostonian” — and obtained quick national blowback for the identify and the accompanying advertising and marketing marketing campaign, “Too Many Balls,” which many deemed offensive.
The workforce apologized and rapidly retracted most of its advertising and marketing, however previous to Friday, membership management had declined to explicitly say the identify could be modified.
The workforce stated the brand new identify will likely be introduced “within the subsequent few weeks,” and that an up to date wordmark and crest would observe in the summertime.
“The membership extends our heartfelt because of our supporters, whose passionate voices we deeply worth — not only for their unwavering assist but additionally for his or her trustworthy and significant suggestions,” majority proprietor Jennifer Epstein stated in an announcement.
“We couldn’t have accomplished this course of with out your enter. We purpose to construct a long-lasting legacy that makes all our followers really feel welcome, linked, and proud to put on our colours and cheer our identify for generations to return.”
Boston was awarded an NWSL expansion franchise in 2023 however continues to face a number of hurdles forward of its anticipated launch a yr from now.
The workforce’s complete growth bid was depending on an formidable private-public partnership with the town of Boston to renovate White Stadium and share the space with Boston Public Colleges athletics.
The price range for the stadium has roughly doubled because it was first proposed in 2023, and the plan faces ongoing authorized and political challenges.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has backed the venture for almost two years. She is up for reelection this yr, and the stadium has change into a degree of focus for mayoral candidate Josh Kraft — the son of billionaire New England Patriots and New England Revolution proprietor Robert Kraft.
Demolition of the dilapidated 66-year-old White Stadium started final month, leaving lower than a yr to reconstruct the stadium and have it prepared for the subsequent NWSL season.
“Our present expectation is that we’ll be able to launch [Boston] in 2026,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman stated final week.
Boston is slated to launch alongside a workforce from Denver subsequent yr, which is able to convey the NWSL to 16 groups.
