OLD SPORTS LEAGUES NEVER DIE...

They just turn up on t-shirts

By Anonymous

DALLAS -- Fans looking for Yankees, Lakers, or Packers apparel shouldn't bother logging on to the website of Classic Sports Logos (www.ClassicSportsLogos.com).



That's because the site is devoted to the teams and leagues of the past -- many of which folded after less than a season.



The site, which launched late last year, sells t-shirts featuring the distinctive old logos of defunct teams and leagues, including the World Football League and World Hockey Association of the 1970s.



"Sports fans love the old teams," said Chris Anderson, owner of Classic Sports Logos. "These renegade or pioneering leagues and obscure, short-lived minor leagues are part of the rich history of sports. There are a lot of great memories associated with them."



The site offers t-shirts for more than 200 logos from dozens of defunct football, basketball, soccer, and hockey leagues.



"The internet is all about niches," said Anderson, who previously worked as a marketing manager for a national athletic footwear retailer and an e-commerce sporting goods provider. "We serve a small, but loyal market that's looking for something unique. And our stuff is nothing if not unique."



Colorful old team names and logos are the highlight of the Classic Sports Logos website:



Albuquerque Six Guns, Bay State Bombardiers, Westchester Golden Apples, Portland Buckaroos, Toledo Goaldiggers, Des Moines Oak Leafs, Florida Flamingos, New England Tea Men, Puerto Rico Coquis, Hawaii Volcanos, Oakland Stompers, Memphis Rogues, Lancaster Red Roses, and Seattle Totems are some of the more unusual teams featured at the site.



"We get e-mails from customers almost every day telling us how many good memories the shirts bring back for them," said Anderson. "Times they spent with the folks at the old hockey arena. Sitting with their kids scoring the game. Lots of good stories. It's a fun part of the job."



For more information, visit www.ClassicSportsLogos.com.