The Denver Broncos and the Visa Connection
No NFL team is officially named after a credit card company. The Denver Broncos, often the subject of this question, were named in 1965 by team owner Bob Howsam after the wild horses of the American West — not after Visa, American Express, or any financial services brand.
The confusion likely stems from the Broncos' orange and blue colors and their association with Denver's mining and frontier heritage. The team's name reflects the region's history and landscape, not corporate sponsorship. While the Broncos have had numerous corporate sponsors over the decades, including financial institutions, their official name origin has nothing to do with credit cards or banking.
Key Takeaways
- The Denver Broncos were named after wild horses of the American West, not after any credit card company or financial brand.
- Bob Howsam, the team's original owner, chose the name in 1965 to reflect Denver's frontier and mining heritage.
- While the Broncos have had corporate sponsors from the financial sector, sponsorship deals do not change a team's official name.
- Other NFL team names come from animals, geography, or historical references — none are officially named after credit card companies.
Why This Question Comes Up
The question persists partly because sports teams and financial companies often partner on naming rights for stadiums and facilities. The Broncos have played in multiple stadiums with corporate-sponsored names, which can blur the line between team identity and corporate branding in people's minds.
Additionally, the Broncos' color scheme — orange and blue — is visually distinctive and memorable, which may make the team feel more "branded" than others. This visual distinctiveness, combined with Denver's role as a major financial center in the Mountain West, may contribute to the misconception that the team name itself has a financial origin.
How NFL Teams Actually Get Their Names
NFL team names come from a variety of sources: animals (Eagles, Ravens, Dolphins), geography (49ers, Texans, Colts), historical references (Patriots, Buccaneers), and regional identity (Packers, Steelers, Cowboys). The naming process typically reflects the city's character, local history, or the owner's vision for the franchise.
When teams relocate, they sometimes change their names to reflect their new city. The Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984 and kept their name because it fit the new location's history. The Titans moved from Houston to Nashville in 1996 and changed their name from the Oilers. In no case has an NFL team adopted a credit card company's name as its official identity.
Corporate Sponsorship vs. Team Names
Modern sports franchises generate significant revenue through naming rights agreements. A company can pay millions to have its name attached to a stadium or arena, but this does not change the team's official name. The Denver Broncos play in a stadium with a corporate sponsor's name, but the team itself remains the Broncos.
This distinction matters because it preserves the team's historical identity while allowing the organization to benefit from corporate partnerships. A credit card company could theoretically purchase naming rights to a stadium where an NFL team plays, but the team's name would remain unchanged. The Broncos' official name will always reflect their 1965 origin, regardless of which company sponsors their home field.
Other NFL Teams With Animal Names
Many NFL teams share the Broncos' use of animal names, each with its own origin story. The Philadelphia Eagles were named in 1933 to capitalize on the popularity of the eagle as an American symbol. The Baltimore Ravens were named in 1996 after Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, which is set in Baltimore. The Miami Dolphins were named in 1966 after the marine mammal.
None of these teams have names connected to financial services or credit card companies. Animal names in professional sports typically draw from regional wildlife, cultural significance, or symbolic meaning rather than corporate partnerships. The Broncos fit squarely into this tradition of using animals to represent team identity and regional character.
The Role of Team Ownership and Branding
A team's name is one of its most valuable assets, established at the franchise's founding and protected by trademark law. Owners rarely change a team's official name because doing so would damage brand recognition built over decades. The Broncos' name has been consistent since 1965, making it one of the team's most recognizable and valuable properties.
While ownership can change, sponsorship deals can shift, and stadiums can be renamed, the team's official name typically remains stable. This stability allows fans to maintain a connection to the franchise's history and identity. The Broncos' name is inseparable from the team's 60-year history, making any connection to a credit card company purely coincidental rather than intentional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Broncos ever have a different name?
No. The Denver Broncos have been called the Broncos since the franchise began in 1965. The team has never changed its official name, though it has relocated stadiums multiple times and had different corporate sponsors for those facilities.
Could an NFL team be named after a credit card company in the future?
It is unlikely. NFL team names typically reflect regional identity, history, or animals rather than corporate brands. While companies can sponsor stadiums and facilities, the league has not established a precedent of allowing credit card companies or financial institutions to become official team names.
What does the Broncos name actually mean?
The name refers to wild, untamed horses of the American West. Bob Howsam chose it to reflect Denver's frontier heritage and the region's association with ranching and the Old West. The name conveys strength, independence, and regional character.
Why do people think the Broncos are named after Visa?
This confusion likely stems from the team's distinctive orange and blue colors, Denver's role as a financial hub, and the prevalence of corporate-sponsored stadium names in modern sports. None of these factors actually connect the team's name to any credit card company.