Cricket Victoria apply to trademark Melbourne Rangers name
Cricket Victoria Apply to Trademark Melbourne Rangers Name
Cricket Victoria (CV) has applied to trademark the name Melbourne Rangers, as the leading option for the new name of Melbourne Stars, with the application currently waiting for examination and an expected response date of September 3. The trademark would cover various uses, including playing kit, branded material, digital content, and apps.
Background
The application was filed on June 4, two days after the news broke of Stars and Melbourne Renegades being merged with CV’s second BBL license set to be sold off in its entirety to a new owner. The Rangers option is a nod to the Bushrangers name that Victoria’s men used to play under in state cricket before it was dropped in 2018.
Research carried out by CV suggested that a full rebranding of the BBL side they will own was required, with current fans of Renegades unlikely to support an existing Stars team, but supporters of both more likely to get behind a Victoria-centric outfit. The re-branded club will also play in Victoria’s navy blue colours.
Other Options
There are two other names in play – Magic and Blazers – according to News Corp. However, the Rangers option is the leading contender, with the trademark application already filed.
Privatisation Process
The privatisation process of the BBL has been plagued by controversy, with Australian cricket being plunged into chaos last week when news of the Melbourne merger broke. The process has been halted due to objections from NSW, Queensland, and South Australia, with CA working on a model whereby individual states can decide what they do.
There will be meetings this week in Melbourne involving state CEOs, with the next key date being June 15 when the chairs will meet to vote on whether to proceed with allowing those states which are in favour to seek investment in their BBL teams.
