Gwinnett Braves general manager North Johnson announced a contest to rename the Triple-A team for the 2018 season and beyond.
Fans and members of the Gwinnett community can suggest new team names starting Monday through June 2. After all team name suggestions are submitted, a final round of voting on the top choices will last from June 19-July 3 on the Gwinnett Braves' website.
Fans who suggest the entry’s new name will win a pair of 2018 season tickets while the four runners-up will win merchandise with the Gwinnett team’s new name.
Johnson long has been an advocate of the name change.
“The Braves name is an incredible brand, but we have learned over the last several years that there is some confusion sharing the same name and market as our major league team,” Johnson said in a statement released by the Gwinnett Braves. “We have an exciting opportunity to connect even further within our community and we’re thrilled the community will have a say in our new name.”
The Gwinnett Braves mascot, Chopper the groundhog, will not change along with the team’s name and logo.
The Braves’ minor-league club moved to Gwinnett in 2009 after decades in Richmond, Va. After the name change, the club will continue to operate as an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. With the exception of the Advanced-A Florida Fire Frogs, all of the team’s minor-league affiliates— Gwinnett, Mississippi, Rome and Danville— carry the Braves name.
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