If there’s one NWSL team name we weren’t the biggest fans of it was “OL Reign.” That won’t be an issue anymore as an OL Reign rebrand will see the club revert to their roots with a name change to Seattle Reign FC and a revamped crest.
OL Reign rebrand
The restoration has begun, Seattle. #ReignReturns pic.twitter.com/TtuOeAq39i
— Seattle Reign FC (@OLReign) January 9, 2024
Big news from @OLReign!
The club is going back to its roots and rebranding as Seattle Reign FC for the upcoming 2024 NWSL season pic.twitter.com/qjDCW1L8bk— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) January 10, 2024
The team went by Seattle Reign FC for the first six seasons, then was called Reign FC for the 2019 campaign and was OL Reign from 2020 through 2023.
The “OL” part of the name came from the ownership, OL Groupe, who own men’s and women’s French clubs Olympique Lyonnais, or as most people call them: Lyon.
Having a French name in an American league was goofy in our opinion and no casual fan knew what the hell “OL” stood for. The return to Seattle Reign FC was the right move. The crest is also an upgrade.
“Today is the start of a new chapter for our unique club, fans and community,” CEO Vincent Berthillot said in a news release.
“Bringing back the club’s original name and identity from the 2013 season as the club prepares to enter a new era is our way of honoring the history of this club while respecting the progress and success we’ve experienced firsthand. Seattle Reign FC was a
founding club in this growing league, and our OGs, our supporters and our community have remained by our side from the very beginning to help pave the way for the future.”
The rebrand comes after OL was bought by U.S. businessman John Textor who is the leading shareholder for Crystal Palace, both Lyon teams, Botafogo in Brazil and Belgian side RWD Molenbeek.
Textor is selling the Reign with a new owner expected to be announced in the future.
The return of the original team name and the queen in the logo has plenty of fans excited for what’s to come.
Kinda obsessed with the evolution of Reign's logos. This new Seattle Reign FC logo is dopee & the use of gold is probably the best part pic.twitter.com/2waQTNuNDI
— Maggie (@maggiemyan) January 9, 2024
FINALLY
— still an ash stan ️ (@slootthereitis) January 9, 2024
It’s like Snoop Dogg rebranded himself as Snoop Lion until he made his way back home and became Snoop Dogg again.
— Mike Martinez ⚓️ (@MontlakeMike) January 9, 2024
Ask and you shall receieve!!!! I have been waiting so long for this to make a return! Let's go out in 2024 and WIN the NWSL Championship #LetItReign #ReignSupreme
— David Whitfield (@AlwaysLegitWhit) January 10, 2024
The Reign lost to Gotham FC 2-1 in the 2023 NWSL Championship and will have gaps to fill on the roster with the retirement of Megan Rapinoe and the departures of USWNT stars Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett.
Lavelle and Sonnet left Seattle to join the defending champions.
