The D-League’s Name Change Angers Me, and it Should You, Too

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; A fan holds up an inflatable dolphin with Austin Spurs written on it during the second half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. MLS All Stars defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

You have probably heard that the D-League is changing its name to the G-League. This is embarrassing.

As reported a couple of days ago, the NBA Development League is changing its name for prime sponsor Gatorade. This is terrible. Awful.

When I first learned of the change, I was confused. It doesn’t sound right, at all, especially after years of having a name that…rhymes with the new name?

Do people think of Gatorade when they hear G-League? I don’t. It sounds like a money grab for hip-hop culture. An outdated money grab at that.

My confusion quickly turned to unbridled rage. I understand that the league is all about the money. And the cash is rolling in by the truckloads right about now.

This change coming at the same time as jersey ads? This just feels disgusting. For fans of teams with iconic jerseys, jersey ads mean a whole lot. The Celtics? For us Spurs fans, we know it’s only a matter of time before Valero sullies the beautiful black-and-silver.

So this inane name change, while trivial, has now taken a significant part of my attention for the past two days. Which, in turn, makes me even more irate.

But that’s 2017 life for NBA fans. Until next year, when they’ll probably call it the Sprite Taco Bell National Gatorade Association.

You’ll always be the D-League to me!