July 7, 2025 – As the New York Cosmos name gears up for a widely rumored relaunch, fresh concerns have emerged regarding the historic swirl logo long associated with the club. Originally developed in the early 1970s by respected Atlanta-based artist Wayland Moore, the swirl has appeared on Cosmos merchandise and branding for decades.
However, there appears to be no publicly verifiable evidence confirming a formal copyright transfer of Moore’s original work to Warner Communications or any subsequent Cosmos operators. Moore, who passed away in 2022, is still widely acknowledged as the swirl’s creator.
Observers note that in the 1970s, creative work was often commercially exploited without formal copyright assignments being “buttoned up” to modern legal standards. Similar disputes have been seen in other sports logos, album art, and corporate branding of that era.
“If no valid copyright transfer can be demonstrated, any new relaunch using the swirl could face significant legal uncertainty,” said one football governance researcher. “Potential sponsors, venue partners, and leagues — including the USL — would want complete clarity before committing resources.”
Scott Michaels, a fan-ownership advocate, added:
“Let’s be clear — the Cosmos was never about a swirl. It was about the name, the players, and the fans who made it a legend. If the swirl is tangled in a legal gray zone, that shouldn’t stop the Cosmos story from continuing with a fan-first mission.”
With fresh announcements expected around July 10 and talk of a USL affiliation, the swirl’s legal status could become a distraction for all parties. For many supporters, preserving the New York Cosmos name and community matters far more than any particular logo.
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