TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR have sensationally asked broadcasters not to refer to them as “Tottenham”.
For decades, broadcasters of the North Londoners’ matches have referred to the club as “Tottenham”.
But in an email to TV rights holders around the world, Spurs have asked to be referred to by their full name.
Broadcasters received the email, details of which have been made public by The Athletic, on February 10.
The communication was titled: “Tottenham Hotspur Naming Update.”
An excerpt of it read: “Tottenham Hotspur have provided clarification regarding the club’s name.
“They have requested that the club are primarily known as Tottenham Hotspur, with Spurs being the preferred short version.
“The club have requested that they are not referred to as Tottenham.”
Not being referred to as “Tottenham” has actually been the club’s stance since 2011.
And they felt it necessary to remind broadcasters of it following a refresh of their brand guidelines after Christmas.
Spurs seemingly don’t want to be referred to as “Tottenham”, the area of London in which they reside, in order to increase the global presence of the Tottenham Hotspur brand.
SunSport understands that the club sees its brand as comparable to the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
In all three cases, fans choose to refer to those clubs either by their full name or only by their second name – ‘United’, ‘City’ and ‘Villa’.
Broadcasters have started heeding the club’s request, with Sky Sports describing Ange Postecoglou as the “Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach” during their coverage of Spurs’ 1-0 win over Manchester United last weekend.
Additionally, when the team’s starting XI was displayed on the screen it said “Spurs” at the top.
Spurs will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town.
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