S.I Yanks to Rebrand Franchise for 2017 Season, Announce Name the Team Contest

PRESS RELEASE – In 1999, the Staten Island Yankees were introduced to New York’s “forgotten borough,” giving baseball fans from the Island a professional sports team to call their own. After two seasons playing at the College of Staten Island, the Baby Bombers moved into their cozy new waterfront stadium, the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, where the team is celebrating 15 seasons of unforgettable baseball in 2016.

Since our first season 17 years ago, we have proudly donned the iconic Yankees pinstripes and worn our parent club’s world-recognized name across our chest. Under the Yankees’ moniker, we’ve won six New York-Penn League titles, the most of any team in our league.

In 2017, Staten Island’s team will take on an identity of its own, and we want our community to help usher in that change.

“This ballpark is a jewel located in a passionate community in the best setting in sports. The Staten Island community is proud to have our team here, and we believe rebranding the team to something more specific will make this local brand become more popular here, and ultimately internationally. We are very proud to be Yankees, but equally proud to be part of this community. What moniker best represents this city, borough, and team? You tell us! We want to encompass the passion, cultures, tradition and pride of Staten Island, New York,” said Team President/Operating Partner Will Smith.

While our name will change, our proud affiliation with the New York Yankees remains the same, and the road to the Bronx still goes through Staten Island. We look forward to many more years of our championship-winning relationship with the Yankees.

The process begins Monday, June 20. Fans are encouraged to submit their nomination for the team’s new identity below, along with an explanation of why they feel their nomination best represents the borough of Staten Island and its community. Fans have until Tuesday, July 5, at noon to submit their nominee. The top six choices will be entered into a contest to vote for the new team name. One fan who submits an entry will win two (2) 2017 season tickets, an official team jersey, and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch on Opening Day 2017.

# # #

Go to Name the Team form here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.