In general, it’s hard for Washingtonians to poke much fun at others’ mascots. From the hopelessly politically incorrect Redskins to the dull and non-threatening Wizards to the uber-generic Capitals and Nationals, D.C. is mired in moniker mediocrity. Even our soccer club’s name elicits groans, though the half-hearted attempt to appropriate European football heritage does stand head and shoulders above its competition. We now have our free pass to poke fun, however, as it appears that United, along with the Dynamo and the Crew, Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA, have a new mascot to kick around in the Big Apple.

It appears that Red Bull is purchasing the already awkwardly named NY/NJ MetroStars from Anschutz Entertainment, which also operates our beloved Examiner and D.C. United. The purchase isn’t the news, the name is. The energy drink maker is planning on renaming the team after itself — Red Bull New York. The newly christened team’s jerseys will feature the official bulls-butting-heads logo and the red, blue, and silver Red Bull color scheme. God help them if their Gatorade gets replaced, too.

Red Bull is no stranger to the operation of sports franchises. The company already operates an Austrian soccer team called SV Red Bull Salzburg. NY/NJ Team President and GM (and former soccer star) Alexei Lalas insists the change will in no way minimize the team’s efforts to build a world class club.

Ok, so this is obviously just a natural extension of the corporate naming trend that brought us Invesco Field at Mile High and Bears Football Presented by Bank One. And we know that, in all likelihood, the practice will only grow more common. So our question to you is this: when corporate team naming comes to the District, who will go first, and what will they become? The Washington Posts? The XMs? The Booz Allen Hamiltons? What say you?

Picture from redbull.com, via wikipedia. Thanks to Mike C. for coming up with the idea for this post.