Rumors have been flying for months about the name of Oklahoma City’s new NBA team. Officials refused to confirm claims that a name had been chosen, but on Wednesday Clay Bennett officially announced what had already been assumed — the team will be called the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Two weeks ago, The Daily ran a four-way discussion of what the new name should be (see “Friday Face-off,” Aug. 22). In that piece, I expressed my liking for the Thunder name. It provides incredible marketability, much more than the Wind or Barons.

Bennett even showed some of the name’s marketability during the unveiling ceremony, playing AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” as the team’s new banner was lowered. That song will undoubtedly be what opens every home game.

While I liked the name, the potential colors and team logo worried me. With thunder being a noise, it’s obviously difficult to develop an adequate representation of it. But the logo that has been released by the organization looks nothing like I thought it would — and that’s a good thing.

I especially like Bennett’s explanation for why the team colors were chosen. The predominant blue is the same as that on the state flag, while the orange/red is intended to represent a beautiful Oklahoma sunset. Bennett even joked that the color isn’t “too orange or too red” — referring to the in-state rivalry between OU and Oklahoma State.

So all in all, I think the team’s management knocked this one out of the park. When the rumors first began that Thunder would be the name, complaints immediately arose that it would be too hard to make a connection between the team and the area. The logo and colors have pretty much dispelled those doubts, as virtually everything has some form of local connection.

The first wave of merchandise also looks good, and fans at the unveiling were clamoring to get their hands on the navy blue hats and T-shirts.

Bennett ended his speech by saying there are more unveilings to come, including a mascot and uniforms at the end of September.

The mascot should be a particularly interesting choice. If an unpopular decision is made, it has the potential to ruin any good publicity the team receives from Wednesday’s announcement.

But if management can continue the current trend of good decisions, the Thunder may very well become a respectable franchise. And that should be considered quite an accomplishment, considering that people were worried the team would become the laughingstock of the NBA.

— Corey DeMoss is the sports editor and a journalism senior.