Birmingham Legion FC
Birmingham Legion FC is a professional soccer team which represents Birmingham in the United Soccer League (USL) beginning with the 2019 season, with home matches hosted at BBVA Compass Field on UAB's campus.
The franchise, which was announced at a public event on August 8, 2018, is co-owned by Jeff Logan, James Outland and Lee Styslinger III. Jay Heaps was announced in January 2018 as president and general manager of the team. Birmingham Hammers co-founder Morgan Copes is vice-president. In May 2018 it was announced that John Harbert II, Jack Bryant, Billy Harbert and Jim Rein were joining the ownership group. Later that month, the team announced that Doug Hicks had been hired as vice president. Birmingham Legions FC's offices are located at 2213 1st Avenue South.
The name and logo for the team, developed with Big Communications, were announced in January 2018. The name "Legion" makes reference to the "army" of soccer fans that helped establish the team as well as to soccer history at Legion Field. The other elements of the logo highlight Birmingham's industrial history. In addition to referencing the former Hammers team, the hammer and anvil are a visual reference to Vulcan. Three hypocycloids (four-pointed stars) approximate the American Iron & Steel Institute's "Steelmark", famously used in the logo of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. In August 2018 Red Diamond signed a 3-year deal to sponsor the team as "jersey partner". Other sponsors include Buffalo Rock, Post Consumer Brands and Nike. Home and away games will be broadcast locally on WABM "My68".
Oak Mountain High School graduate and Real Monarchs' star forward Chandler Hoffman signed on as the team's first player in July 2018. In August the team announced that Tom Soehn would be the first head coach of Birmingham Legion FC.
References
- "USL Officially Awards Franchise to Birmingham." (August 8, 2017) USLsoccer.com
- Patchen, Tyler (January 17, 2018) "Birmingham's soccer team name and logo unveiled." Birmingham Business Journal
- Edgemon, Erin (May 8, 2018) "Birmingham Legion FC adds 4 local owners." The Birmingham News
- Inabinett, Mark (July 30, 2018) "Chandler Hoffman coming home as Birmingham Legion FC's first player." The Birmingham News
- Murray, Nichola (August 5, 2018) "The USL Q&A: Doug Hicks, Birmingham Legion FC" USLsoccer.com
- Patchen, Tyler (December 17, 2018) "Legion FC unveils new jersey and home-opener opponent." Birmingham Business Journal
External links
- Birmingham Legion FC website