NFL.com wire reports

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) The Atlanta Falcons wanted a new logo to reflect a team working aggressively to change its image.

So they unveiled a new, more aggressive logo, with new uniforms due next month.
"The majority of people we talked to liked the idea of a digital, futuristic bird in flight," said Dick Sullivan, the team's executive vice president of marketing. "They thought the falcon should be in attack mode, just like our team."

The uniform change will be fifth in the Falcons' 37-year history and the first since former coach Jerry Glanville persuaded management to change the helmets from red to black.
Atlanta's old logo had remained the same since the team debuted in 1966. The new logo adds dark red, silver and tilts the design forward to create a sense of movement.

Since purchasing the Falcons last year, Arthur Blank has worked to change the image of a
franchise that has never had back-to-back winning seasons.

Blank slashed ticket prices, made other changes, and Atlanta went 9-6-1 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs behind quarterback Michael Vick, one of the NFL's most electrifying players.

Blank wanted to change the logo and uniforms before the 2002 season, but the NFL requires teams to submit such requests by September of the previous year.
"The new logo depicts a more powerful, aggressive falcon -- one of fast movement," Blank said. "It's representative of the evolution and direction of our team."

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Reuters

Sportswear group adidas has had a setback in a row with rivals about whether athletes can wear outfits bearing its renowned three-striped logo at the forthcoming Winter Olympics.

Nike, Puma and Reebok have written to International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge saying adidas should no longer be the exception to the governing body's rule, which limits branding to a single, 20 square centimetre logo on outfits.

Adidas is allowed to use the three stripes on its clothing because they are considered to be a design element, not a logo, and rivals claim the company has benefited from the greater awareness of its prominent branding.

Chief executive Herbert Hainer confirmed adidas had been informed about the decision, but added in a conference call that footwear worn at the Olympics would not be affected.

An adidas spokeswoman said it was seeking further talks with the IOC on the issue before the Games begin in Turin next year.

The move comes only weeks after Puma took the world soccer body, FIFA, to court over a ban on Cameroon's one-piece kit.