After months of speculation and excitement the name of the tenth team in the National Basketball League has been revealed as the Tasmania JackJumpers.
The team was named after the jack jumper ant, a venomous insect indigenous to Australia and commonly found in Tasmania.
The JackJumpers will officially enter the competition in the 2021-22 season.
The name reveal comes after the NBL created a shortlist of fan-suggested names, which was met with over 10,000 entries. The shortlist included the Tasmania Mountaineers, JackJumpers, Timbers, Tridents and Pride. The race eventually came down to the Tridents and JackJumpers, with the brand reveal early Thursday morning revealing that the name was the Tasmania JackJumpers.
“The Jack Jumpers logo covers all corners of the state and embodies Tasmania’s challenger spirit and passion,” chief executive Simon Brookhouse said.
“Our green and gold colours pay homage to Tasmania’s rich history and landscape.”
While the team is happy with the name they’ve chosen, some sceptics have had their say on social media about the name choice. This includes NBA legend Andrew Bogut, who simply replied to a tweet about the name with, “Joking yeah? Good one. Got me good”.
“Like Tasmania itself, the Jack Jumpers will be unforgettable and a team all Tasmanians can embrace,” Brookhouse said.
While the social media was certainly mixed, one thing everyone can agree on is that it is exciting to see the Apple Isle have its own NBL team again, with the state not featured in the competition since the Tasmania Devils played in 1996.
The Tasmanian team will be one to watch heading towards the 2021-22 season, and with a name like the JackJumpers, they’ll certainly be hard to miss.
James Thompson
Roar Rookie
I am surprised that they picked this name after the fuss the TRU was making over them considering the name back in August. I haven't heard anything about them quieting down or having another jab since. As for the logo... meh. It's okay. They did alright considering there aren't many ways you can make an ant look good on a sports logo, I think the aggressive head-on look was probably the best way to go. The one thing I do really like about it is that it's got one of the most subtle inclusions of the ball that I've seen, up there with Charlotte Hornets. On the other hand, I don't get why they didn't use that one colour associated with Tasmania that actually makes sense for a logo with an ant.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I used to play rugby league for the Butcher Boys against sides including the Pumpkin Pickers. I feel less embarrassed now.
Adam
Roar Guru
Or even closer to home, when was the last time Hobart had a hurricane?
Adam
Roar Guru
As someone who is increasingly allergic to jack jumper bites I can attest to how tough the little s**ts are. That said, they're stolen the Tasmanian rugby team moniker and I am not amused!
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Oh yeah, I’m Tasmanian and know full well what jack jumpers can do. I was a little bit thrown off by the name at first, but it is definitely growing on me and relates to the state’s story. We are a small state and often overshadowed, so we will want to jump high and pack a mighty punch to be noticed, just a jack jumpers do. I’m sure I will be there supporting them every game I can
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
I was thinking that could be the reason as well
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I can understand non-tasmanian getting a little antsy over the name. Any Tasmanian knows what the little *******s are like. Naming a basketball team, a sport renowned for height, after an ant might seem a little odd. The "jump" makes sense though. And it will be a small club that needs to sting well above its size to have an impact. Which those things definitely do. Its a name aimed at Tasmanians, if nobody else quite gets the point - so be it.
Mark.
Roar Rookie
Originally the Minneapolis Lakers
Mark.
Roar Rookie
Possibly the Sheffield Shield team?
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
That’s exactly right, the name may be hard to take in at the moment, but fans will eventually come to terms with it. All that matters will be the team’s performance and staff, and their play will overshadow the name in years to come
Mooty
Roar Rookie
It’s a name that everyone won’t give a second thought to in years to come. Look at some of the names the NBL and NFL have, Blue Jays, Lakers, Thunder, Orioles, what is a oriole. There are many more, ones I’ve mentioned people may have an explanation for the names, but I can tell you now, the last time I was in L A, I don’t remember seeing a lake noteworthy of being named after or that many raiders. In the end they are just names, people won’t care.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
The video was a bit cringe to be honest. However, I feel they were definitely pandering towards the kids. They were pretty much damned no matter what name they picked, because people were set on either the Devils or the Tigers. The jack jumper is definitely an odd choice, but I am glad they went for an animal native to Australia and specifically Tasmania
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
I feel they didn’t pick Devils because of the association with the old NBL team. And I have no idea why Tigers was not at least shortlisted. The name seems a bit strange, but I am sure the name will grow on people
Johan
Guest
The video seems childish- do they not want adult fans as well? The name is deplorable and will be deeply humiliating for their new fans I would assume. Still I guess in a way they were damned either way. If they used a name already in the NBA they are copying and so they went for an Australian animal that lives in Tassie and they are ruthlessly mocked. I wonder if they will play the Rolling Stones song ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ at games?
tlux
Guest
That name is flabbergasting. :sick:
Mark.
Roar Rookie
Shocking. Surely it’s a flip of a coin between Devils or Tigers?