How a $24b global giant almost ruined AFL’s new team

“The Devils will no doubt be a club that unites the state and showcases the best of Tasmania.”

Warner Bros. trademarked the name Tasmanian Devil in 1984 to use for a cartoon character, despite it being the name of an actual anival native to Australia’s southernmost state.

Unveiled as the Tasmania Devils, the AFL’s 19th club will enter the league in the 2028 season.

Alongside their name, the new club’s colours will consist of red, green and yellow, the same colours the state jumper already bare and have bared since 1908.

In an exciting update, the club has announced they have already surpassed 50,000 founding members less than four hours after the club was officially launched.

Matthew Richardson officially announced the colours of the new club, in his home town of Devonport, confirming the historical and iconic original colours will remain.

Tasmania will stick with their myrtle green, primrose yellow and rose red.

“We’re overdue for this,” Richardson said at the official launch in Devonport.

“It really is a no brainer as far as I’m concerned. We first wore these colours in 1908. All of the legend of Tasmanian football have worn these colours.”

The nickname for the club was next to be announced, with the Devils being selected

“We are the Tasmania Devils,” under-18 player Jasmine Garner announced.

When the name was announced the excited crowd began chanting ‘Devils’.

The final piece of the puzzle was then confirmed, with the logo presented by Kent Jackson, the Wynard Football Club president.

“Tasmanian football club wanted to create a devil that is in all of us. It’s not what you might expect, but it’s everything you hope for all at once,” Jackson said.

The club jumper will also remain as the foundation jumper that has been worn since 1908, proudly baring the Tasmanian map.

“I hope you’re feeling really proud, thank you all,” Grant O’Brien said.

It comes as the new club officially launched their foundation membership campaign.

They’ll be offering memberships for as little as $10, with the promise to those who join to receive the label “founding member for life”.

Tasmanian chairman Grant O’Brien explained the details surrounding the memberships., with the price locked in for its first buyers.

“The club has made a decision to release a founding membership that will allow as many Tasmanians as possible to be a part of the club,” O’Brien said on Sunday.

“Our membership offering will evolve over the coming years, but for now, we are proud to provide one price and one way for everyone to become a founding member.

“We encourage all Tasmanians and football fans to sign up as a founding member and become part of the team.”

Debate is still raging over the suggested new stadium that would hold up to 23,000 patrons to be built at Macquarie Point.

The Liberal party has supported the proposal, while their opposition, Labor, are against the build.

In February, acting club CEO Kath McCann thanked the Tasmanian community for their input to aid in the journey to create their own identity in the AFL.

“Over 6000 Tasmanians completed the survey and the community forums gave up some pretty clear directions, so I’m pretty excited and hopefully we’ve nailed it for the Tasmanian people,” McCann said on SEN last month.

“We don’t need to replicate a model of another club, or another place, because we’re our own place.”