There is growing speculation Bristol Rugby is to change its name ahead of a return to the top flight, with Bristol Sport – the parent company which also includes Bristol City Football Club, registering trademarks and a company under the name Bristol Bears Rugby Club.
Social Reaction:
Not sure about Bristol Rugby rebranding themselves as Bristol Bears!?
🏉🐻Away kit is smart, gutted the Blue & White hoops for the home kit have been ditched for red😩#BristolRugby #BristolBears #BristolSport #Rugby pic.twitter.com/Dzl842uvUz
— Matthew Burke (@Deloreans_88MPH) April 15, 2018
Bristol Bears is a missed opportunity by @Bristol_RFC…not too late to rectify.
Bristol has long history of aviation, made fighter planes that were backbone of RAF in WWII.
Bristol Bombers anyone?
Unless I’m wrong and there *are actually wild bears living on the Downs? pic.twitter.com/u5lt8lTxTS
— Tim Cocker (@cocker) April 16, 2018
Dear Bristol Rugby,
Please don’t rename yourself the Bristol Bears. You’re not a regionally-based children’s book or an LGBTQ Facebook group.
Regards,
Common sense— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) April 16, 2018
@Bristol_RFC @Bristol_Sport please do not rebrand Bristol Rugby with some stupid name like Bears. We’ve just got promoted and need to be taken seriously. Listen to your fans!!!!
— Hammy Hambly (@Official_JAH) April 15, 2018
Please no!!!!!!!!! We are Bristol Rugby. We are not bears. Our mascot is a bear. https://t.co/J1kjUgHyHa
— Peter Down (@upbristol) April 15, 2018
I so hope the “Bristol Bears” story is false. But with leaked kits and that trademark registration it’s gathering pace.
Rebrands can work, see Exeter, but we don’t need it.
— BristolDragon (@IainMiles) April 16, 2018