Last week, we looked at the original names of some famous bands. It’s not too much of a leap to do something similar with sports teams. For this one, I'll be focusing on the top 4 US sports leagues.
See if you can match the current team with their original name. Just match the number from the 1st group with the correct letter from the 2nd. Then, scroll down to see how well you did.
MLB
Current Name | Original Name |
1. Astros | A. Americans |
2. Braves | B. Colt 45s |
3. Cubs | C. Doves |
4. | D. |
5. | E. |
6. | F. |
7. | G. Orphans |
8. Red Sox | H. Pilots |
9 Yankees | I. Bridegrooms |
NFL
Current Name | Original Name |
1. Bears | A. Braves |
2. Commanders | B. Oilers |
3. Jets | C. Pirates |
4. Lions | D. |
5. Steelers | E. |
6. Titans | F. |
NBA
Current Name | Original Name |
1. 76ers | A. Americans |
2. Clippers | B. Blackhawks |
3. Hawks | C. Bobcats |
4. Hornets | D. |
5. Kings | E. |
6. Nets | F. |
7. Spurs | G. Packers |
8. Thunder | H. Royals |
9 Wizards | I. Supersonics |
NHL
Current Name | Original Name |
1. Avalanche | A. Cougars |
2. Devils | B. Nordiques |
3. Hurricanes | C. Scouts |
4. Jets | D. |
5. Maple Leafs | E. |
6. Hurricanes | F. |
Got ‘em all written down? Well, let’s scroll down and see how you did.
MLB
Astros – Colt 45s
- After the "gun that won the west”
Braves - Doves (Boston)
- AKA Bees
Cubs – Orphans
- AKA Colts, White Stockings
Dodgers – Bridegrooms (Brooklyn)
- AKA Robins, Grooms, Superbas
Guardians – Naps
- After Hall of Fame player/manager Napoleon Lajoie
Mariners – Pilots (Seattle)
- Played 1 year, then moved to Milwaukee
Nationals – Expos (Montreal)
- After Expo 67 World’s Fair, held in Montreal
Red Sox – Americans
- “Red Sox” named after Cincinnati Reds
Yankees – Highlanders
- From playing games in Highland Park
NFL
Bears – Staleys (Decatur)
- After the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, who sponsored the team
Commanders – Braves (Boston)
- Not to mention the Redskins
Jets – Titans
- Because "titans are bigger and stronger than giants"
Lions – Spartans (Portsmouth OH)
- Portsmouth had a population of 18,000 in 2020
Steelers – Pirates
- AKA Philadelphia/Pittsburgh Eagles/Steelers & Chicago/Pittsburgh Cardinals/Steelers
Titans – Oilers (Houston)
- Not to be confused with the hockey team (Edmonton)
NBA
76ers – Nationals (Syracuse)
- Not to be confused with the “largest car show in the northeast”
Clippers – Braves (Buffalo)
- Have also played in San Diego
Nets – Americans
- AKA NJ Nets, NY Nets
Hawks – Blackhawks (Moline IL)
- Also played in Buffalo & St Louis
Hornets – Bobcats
- After owner Bob Johnson
Kings – Royals (KC)
- Not to be confused with the MLB team
Spurs – Chaparrals
- "A shrubland plant community and semi-arid biome characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. It is most prominently found in California and the southwestern United States, featuring dense, fire-adapted evergreen shrubs with leathery leaves."
Thunder – Supersonics (Seattle)
- Won NBA championship in 1979
Wizards – Packers (Chicago)
- AKA Bullets
NHL
Avalanche – Nordiques (Quebec)
- Were originally the San Francisco Sharks, moving to Quebec before ever playing a game
One of the weirder logos out there
Devils – Scouts (KC)
- Also played in Denver
Hurricanes – Whalers (Hartford)
- Connecticut’s only major league team
Jets – Thrashers
- After Georgia state bird, the brown thrasher
Maple Leafs – St Patricks
- AKA Arenas
Red Wings – Cougars
- AKA Falcons
