Oklahoma City officially threw its hat back into the pro soccer ring Wednesday, dropping the full identity for its new club, OKC United, during Mayor David Holt’s State of the City address. This isn't just a new team, it's a statement, with the club set to rejoin professional soccer in 2028.
The United Vision: Global and Local
The name "OKC United" wasn't some last-minute decision, either. It was the apparent choice since last summer when the ownership group first filed the trademark. Majority owner Christian Kanady made it clear what this name signifies, telling The Oklahoman, "This is a city moving decisively onto the global stage, and United is one of the most recognized names in soccer around the world." He added, it’s “only natural to name the club OKC United. Working together is the blueprint for how our city and our team will continue to win for years to come.” You gotta respect that kind of ambition right out of the gate, especially when the other finalists were names like OKC Bison FC, OKC Lightning FC, OKC Thunderbird FC, and OKC Wind FC.
Native Pride and Sky-High Colors on the Crest
And let's talk about that crest, because it’s seriously next level. It's designed to honor the state’s Native culture, featuring an interlocking "OKC" at its core, nestled inside a sun with 39 rays. Why 39? Because that's how many tribes are headquartered in Oklahoma. The whole shield is shaped like an arrowhead, too. Then there are the colors: Midnight Blue, Pink Sunset, and Ivory Cloud. Kanady said these were inspired by the Oklahoma sky, explaining, "It doesn't matter where you live, what you do or where you came from , when we look up, we all see the same colors in the sky. The same beauty. Those pink Oklahoma sunsets are unlike anywhere else on earth. The sky became the foundation of our color palette and the emotional through-line of the identity.” Talk about leaning into your roots, right?
Russell Westbrook's Signature on the Shield
Here’s the kicker, though: former Thunder star Russell Westbrook, who’s part of the ownership group, played a massive role in the design, especially with that interlocking "OKC." Kanady initially wanted the letters spelled out clearly, but Russ shook his head, saying, "No, CK. That’s not it." Westbrook’s logic? "OKC already owns a recognizable brand through the Thunder and our culture. Our crest didn't need to shout OKC at anyone." Kanady even relayed, “Russ said it’s time to be an ‘if you know, you know’ community by designing an ‘if you know, you know’ brand. He was right, and it’s the monogram on the crest today.” It's that same "if you know, you know" vibe that pushed them to go with "OKC United" instead of the full "Oklahoma City United." As Kanady put it, “OKC is what Oklahomans already call this city. It's what fans yell in the stands. It's what shows up on hats and T-shirts that are worn across the world.”
With a full identity revealed and a clear vision for community and global presence, OKC United officially takes the field in 2028. Until then, get ready for those Midnight Blue, Pink Sunset, and Ivory Cloud kits to start popping up everywhere.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.