Naming a Franchise: The New York Jets
The New York Jets were formed in 1959 after founder, Harry Wismer, lobbied for the formation of a second professional football team in the state of New York. This new team was originally named the New York Titans because Wismer claimed that “Titans are bigger and stronger than giants.”
The New York Titans floundered financially in the AFL and the league was forced to cover the costs of its fledgling franchise. The team was sold after the 1962 season for $1 million to a conglomerate of businessmen led by Sonny Werblin.
Werblin secured a deal for the Titans to play at Shea Stadium in Queens. Due to the proximity of Shea Stadium to LaGuardia Airport, Werblin renamed the team the New York Jets. Ownership also changed the team’s colors from navy blue and gold to “kelly” green and white. This color scheme persisted from 1963 to 2019 when the Jets introduced horrible “gotham green,” “spotlight white,” and black jersey alternates for the upcoming 2019-2020 season.
