Washington Wizards Rebrand

Lore & Background

The Washington Wizards rebrand was announced in 1997 after owner Abe Pollin decided to change the team's name from the Bullets, citing the high rate of gun violence in the Washington, D.C. area. The new name 'Wizards' was selected through a fan contest and was meant to evoke magic and excitement. The rebrand introduced a new color scheme of blue, black, and bronze, along with a wizard-themed logo. The team played its first season as the Wizards in 1997-1998, marking a new era for the franchise that later included Michael Jordan's return to the NBA with the Wizards in 2001.

Reader's Guide

Wizards of the Coast publishes RPGs, board games, and collectible card games. It has received numerous awards, including several Origins Awards. The company has also produced sets of sports cards and series for association football, baseball, basketball and American football. Its corporate headquarters is located in Renton, Washington, which is part of the Seattle metropolitan area.

Did You Know?

• The Washington Wizards were originally known as the Chicago Packers before moving to Baltimore and becoming the Bullets.
• The name 'Wizards' was chosen from over 2,000 fan suggestions in a 1997 contest.
• The rebrand included a new mascot named 'G-Wiz', a wizard who was introduced in 2000, not alongside the 1997 rebrand.
• Michael Jordan played his final NBA seasons with the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003.
• The team's current colors are red, white, and blue, adopted in a later rebrand in 2011.