Login

***Ace*** · 04-05-2025, 08:42 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mXOmmTKAtQ

[Image: on88H2h.png]

Nashville just always felt like the right spot for an SHL team. I’ve got family ties to the Smoky Mountains and have spent a lot of time in the city. I even caught a Bruins-Preds game there once, and the energy in that arena was unreal. It really stuck with me. I had such a great time while I was there. The city has a ton of personality. Obviously music is a huge part of it, but there’s also this grit and passion that goes way beyond the stage. The sports scene is strong, the fans are loud and loyal, and the atmosphere feels like a wild college game. I haven’t been to another arena quite like it with the chants and the vibe. The fans were also super welcoming to me and my family, even though we were rocking Boston gear. It made an impression. Plus, from a league perspective, Nashville fills a nice gap in the South.

For the branding, I wanted it to feel like Nashville through and through. The name, the logos, the colors…all of it ties back to the city’s identity. Big thanks to @Thunder39 for helping finalize everything and bringing the concepts to life. He crushed it with the execution on the logos and jersey designs.

The primary logo is shaped like a guitar pick, which connects to Nashville’s music roots. Inside, there’s this fierce red bobcat with its claws out, ready to pounce. The bobcat sits above the Nashville skyline, which smoothly transforms into a sound wave. The three stars are a nod to the Tennessee state flag and balance out the design well. The navy background with red and cream accents gives it this vintage Americana feel, while still looking bold and sporty.

The secondary logo leans even more into the music theme. It’s a vinyl record that’s been slashed through by the bobcat’s claws. You’ve got the grooves, the red center label, and the claw marks ripping across it. It perfectly captures that blend of classic Nashville music and competitive fire.

The wordmark balances tradition with edge. “Nashville” is in a bold red script that feels musical and flowing, while “SOUND” is solid in cream block letters. It’s all framed inside the guitar pick shape, and the sound wave skyline continues the theme from the primary logo.

The home navy jersey is bold and intense, with the primary logo front and center. The red bobcat contrasts well against the navy. Red bands with stars on the sleeves nod to Tennessee’s flag, and the red trim along the bottom grounds the design. Cream numbers and lettering give it a classic, vintage touch that fits the city’s vibe.

The away cream jersey flips things around but keeps the identity strong. The cream base gives it a nostalgic feel, tying into Nashville’s musical roots. The primary logo stands out nicely, and the navy numbers with red trim are clean and easy to read. The star-studded red sleeve bands stay for consistency, but with the cream, they take on a cool Americana look.

The alternate red jersey is probably my favorite. It’s loud and full of energy, kind of like a night out on Broadway. The vinyl record logo takes center stage here, really driving home the music connection. The sound wave pattern shows up along the bottom and sleeves. It’s subtle on the other jerseys but pops on the red. Navy shoulder yokes with cream piping frame it all perfectly. It’s bold, passionate, and 100% Nashville.

All three jerseys feature shoulder patches with the star logo on one side and the record logo on the other. It ties everything together, no matter which jersey the team’s wearing.

The color palette was inspired by the Tennessee state flag, deep navy and red, which don’t get used much in the SHL. They’re strong, clean, and have a bit of intensity to them. The touch of cream or tan adds that old-school Nashville tour poster vibe. It all reflects the city’s personality, which is musical heritage mixed with competitive spirit. Everything in the brand connects back to Nashville. Each piece stands on its own, but when you put them all together, it clicks.

Finally, I want to give special thanks to the following users who helped me out during my branding and expansion application process:

All of HO
@Thunder39
@karey
@HabsFanFromOntario
@RashfordU
@LeakyCink
@Ruggsy
@By-Tor
@hotdog
@Blitz
@Fluw
@JKortesi81