RC Strasbourg Register Infamous 1997 'Pac-Man' Logo - Retro Kit Coming?
Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace could be preparing a trip down memory lane. The French Ligue 1 club has officially registered its controversial late-1990s crest with France's intellectual property institute (INPI). Deposited in late September and officially published in October 2026, the trademark filing protects the circular badge featuring the abstract stork and cathedral motif alongside the text "RACING CLUB DE STRASBOURG FOOTBALL".
Originally introduced in 1997 under then-president Patrick Proisy, the rebrand became one of the most polarizing emblems in French football history. Supporters quickly dubbed it the "Pac-Man" logo due to its striking resemblance to the classic video game character. Despite being worn on several memorable Adidas shirts featuring period sponsors such as Estel and Steelcase, sustained pushback from fans eventually led the club to abandon the emblem in 2006 in favor of a more traditional crest.
Trademark filings of vintage club logos almost always signal upcoming commercial plans, such as retro apparel collections or special-edition throwback kits. With 2027 marking the 30th anniversary of the design's original introduction, Strasbourg and long-term kit maker Adidas might be preparing a retro release centered around the cult 1997 look.
