By Joanna Chadwick, The Wichita Eagle-
Wichita's American Association baseball team still doesn't have a name, but don't fret. It will have one soon. Really.
Wichita Pro Sports, which includes Thunder hockey and the unaffiliated baseball team, expects to announce the team name and the manager late next week.
The company held a name-the-team contest nearly two months ago. But no name was announced.
Turns out the naming was delayed because Wichita Pro Sports had been approached by two local companies interested in buying naming rights.
"We were pretty flattered with that," said Josh Robertson, the baseball team's general manager. "We had to go through the due process because of the stockholders and shareholders and decision-making. It needed to be a mutually-agreed upon name."
When that fell through, Robertson said four names were discussed -- Dust Devils, Spirit and Dreamliners, three of the top vote-getters in the name-the-team contest. He said Wichita Pro Sports also received calls and e-mails pushing the name Wingnuts.
"When we talk about branding it, we want a name that is new and fresh," Robertson said. "It shouldn't be forgotten about."
The naming of the team will now be decided by the owners.
However, Robertson said the prize package that was promised during the name-the-team contest will still be given, possibly at the same news conference as the team name announcement.
