New NWSL franchise announces rebrand to Boston Legacy after initial BOS Nation rollout controversy

Boston's expansion franchise will be renamed Boston Legacy, the team announced Wednesday. The new branding comes less than half a year after the club received widespread backlash for its initial name "BOS Nation."

The new name came about after a "quantitative analysis process" with 1500 surveyed, 500 names submitted and a shortlist of 14, the club said.

The new name acknowledges the city's long history, and the club looks toward creating "its own new legacy that is true to the city." No badge or branding has been released, but that is expected to arrive in the coming months, the club said.

In a statement, majority owner Jennifer Epstein expressed her excitement after the launch of the new name: "Our name is just the beginning. It’s what we build together, through dedication, commitment, and grit that will give it life. We aim for our values to reflect a city that breathes competition, passion, and pride, and to pay tribute to those who paved the way before us, including the game-changers who helped build previous women’s professional teams in Boston. We are also focused on the future, for the next generation of players and fans who will carry forward what we build today."

Boston Legacy will begin play in 2026, becoming the league's 15th franchise in the process. They will be joined by a yet-unnamed Denver-based side.