Biloxi “slammed” with name-the-team votes

This is why you hold a name-the-team contest: the new Biloxi Southern League team is receiving a huge response, and folks need to make an appointment to buy season tickets because of the demand.

As you’ll recall, last week the team announced the six finalists: Beacon, Black Jacks, Mullets, Schooners, Shrimpers and Shuckers. (Full explanations of each team name can be found here.) All are tied to the area in some way, and all are very marketable.

Of course, when you open the process to the public, you get everyone’s opinions, good and bad. Incomong GM Buck Rogers has been fielding the inquiries and comments. Basically, the team name comes down to marketability and trademarking: it needs to be a unique name that can move merchandise. And while some of the names seem a little extreme, let’s not forget the best-selling merchandise comes from teams with some pretty unique monikers. From the Biloxi Sun-Herald:

Through Sound Off in the Sun Herald, some people said they are unhappy with the choices and others were surprised Gov. Phil Bryant’s favored Biloxi Blues isn’t among the finalists.

“That’s the logical choice,” Rogers said. But with a movie, Hollywood play and the St. Louis Hockey team already using the Blues, he said, “you’re going to have some legal issues.”

One man told Rogers the Biloxi Brewers was the natural choice, given the team is an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. He said, “Why would we name a team of the Gulf Coast after the industry of another city?” The Shrimpers and Shuckers would be more appropriate for Biloxi, he said.

Rogers also reports season-ticket demand is so high the team is scheduling appointments so buyers won’t need to wait in line. Nice.