Derek Beaumont thanks fans for taking the “leopard bait” as he responds to Leigh Leopards criticism

Headed into the 2023 Super League season, Derek Beaumont made the bold decision to rebrand the Leigh Centurions as the Leigh Leopards in a move that has sparked much debate.

The Leopards will make their Super League debut on Sky Sports on Friday 17th February in the second live game of the season after Warrington Wolves vs Leeds Rhinos on the 16th.

As you’d expect from the forward thinking Leopards, they are doing their best to promote their Round One clash which comes against Salford Red Devils who made the semi-finals last season.

They did so by promising “the best freakin’ night of your life” on Twitter:

Our first game of the @SuperLeague Season is going to be the ‘best freakin' night of your life!’

Don't miss out on our 17th Feb opener vs @SalfordDevils. You'll be talking about this night for a long time to come!!!#leythers #rugbyleague #SuperLeague #bestfreakinnightofmylife pic.twitter.com/jq4nXphggG

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) January 19, 2023

However, many pointed out that the word Leopards could be missing a letter with the badge taking the place of both the e and o in the name.

Rebranded again from Leopards to LOPARDS. Logos so good you need it see it twice! #amateurrugbyleague

— Andy Roberts (@AndyReds22) January 19, 2023

Have you rebranded to lopards now ??

— stu (@wiganstu) January 20, 2023

Now this could have been intentional, after all the graphic fits together nicely this way.

And owner Beaumont has claimed as such describing it as “leopard bait” on Twitter and thanking people for raising their profile yet again.

He said: “Nice to see so many taking the leopard bait again, thanks for raising our profile with your followers something you wouldn’t have done had we just put Leopards.”

Nice to see so many taking the leopard bait again 😂 thanks for raising our profile with your followers something you wouldn’t have done had we just put Leopards 😂🐆🎣 #uptheleopards #bestfreakinnightofmylife #tooeasy 😂 https://t.co/9igjlTwrVr

— Derek John Beaumont (@derek_beaumont) January 19, 2023

The Leopards are in action tomorrow against Leeds Rhinos in a pre-season friendly that was agreed upon following the exit of Nene MacDonald to the Rhinos.