If anyone follows the NBA, the Toronto Raptors did a similar thing by eliminating a traditional graphic logo and going with just a simple basketball. The thought was that a simpler logo is more versatile on hats, t-shirts, pants, etc. because you can make the logo any colour you want to fit the style of the apparel.
So you could have 20 different Raptors hats, all in different colours with the same logo, so you can choose what hat you want to wear with your "outfit". Their sales went up immediately.
You can't really change the colour of the crest. The new logo is more like the Nike check. Everyone will follow soon enough, I'm sure.