Perhaps the most popular retro logo in National Hockey League (NHL) history is being retired - for now.
True North Sports & Entertainment, owner of the new Winnipeg Jets hockey franchise, has purchased the trademarks for its predecessor's logos of the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
Local retailers say they've been told the production of T-shirts, jerseys, hats and other items featuring the old logos has ceased and only goods featuring the newly-launched logos of the new team will be produced.
"We believe the focus in the market needs to be on the new logo for the next period of time," said Scott Brown, director of communications for the Jets.
True North purchased the logos from the NHL, which had owned them since the original Jets moved to Arizona to become the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996, for an undisclosed sum.
It is widely expected that the Jets will relaunch items featuring the old logo once the new one has been firmly established in the marketplace.
The old logos were extremely popular with Winnipeggers and other hockey fans after the original Jets left town and flew off the shelves for several months after True North announced in May that it had purchased the Atlanta Thrashers and was moving the team to Winnipeg.
– Compiled by Geoff Kirbyson
from Western Investor December 2011
