Analyzing the Development of the PWHL Team Identities: New York Sirens

The New York Sirens may or may not have a strong visual and/or auditory identity.

Name

Mythological sirens are magical ocean beings whose music drives male sailors crazy, causing them to drive their boats to ruin on the sirens’ rocky homes. These talented and vicious hunters had women’s heads on the bodies of birds, and have also been associated with mermaids.

As a team name, fans of many sports have been interested in the power, violence, and visuals that such a name could infuse a team with. On the other hand, gendered names in women’s sports have a long and divisive history.

In the New York Sirens, the team has sidestepped both the potential controversy and the potential upsides of naming themselves after nautical murderers by completely ignoring the concept.