ETB’s Logo Report Cards, NBA Logo Trends and Logos in Other Sports
October 23, 2009
By: Zachariah Blott
I know it’s a bit belated, but I wanted to put together a few lists that show some logo trends in the NBA over time and some great logos in other sports. Enjoy!
Again, all of these logos are found at Chris Creamer’s SportsLogos.net.
See Also:
– NBA Logo Report Cards, Pt. 1
– NBA Logo Report Cards, Pt. 2
– NBA Logo Report Cards, Pt. 3
NBA Logo Trends
Trends From the 1940’s Into the 1970’s
Early logos tended to use ridiculous cartoons of the mascot playing the sport.
Philadelphia Warriors, 1951-1962
Trends From the 1970’s
Teams used super simple shapes and colors, akin to construction paper cut-outs. Apparently they had time machines back then and consulted with the South Park creators to see what they would have done in middle school.
1974/75 All Star Game in Phoenix
Golden State Warriors, 1972-1975
More logo trends and awards from around sports, after the jump …
Trends From the 1990’s
Many logos introduced new colors, lots of color gradients, and lots of stylized movement within the image. There is probably already a lot of regret over these.
Cleveland Cavaliers, 1994-2003
Seattle Supersonics, 1995-2001
Equipment Use in Sports Logos
The NBA is far ahead of the other professional leagues in terms of using their sports’ equipment (in this case, simply a basketball) within their logos. Thankfully the NBA didn’t stick with that other basketball or two-thirds of the logos would have been outdated in a hurry.
NBA: 70% (21 of 30) of logos include a basketball.
MLB: 53% (16 of 30) of logos include a ball, bat, home plate, basepaths, or the shape of field.
NHL: 20% (6 of 30) of logos include a hockey stick or a puck (includes Flyers).
NFL: 16% (5 of 32) of logos include a football or a helmet.
The Five Best Logos in Today’s NBA
1) 5-tie) Memphis Grizzlies
5-tie) Utah Jazz
The Five Worst Logos in Today’s NBA
The Best Logos Outside of the NBA
(In no specific order)
The Best Logos in the NFL
Detroit Lions – Simple, ferocious, could beat the actual team.
Miami Dolphins – They made a tough-looking dolphin who’s ready to play ball.
Houston Texans – Very impressive for its simple use of color and mascot concept.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Totally bad ass, but they need to change their death metal lettering.
The Best Logos in the NHL
Colorado Avalanche – Good job incorporating the name of the team with the mascot.
Minnesota Wild – Very basic design that draws together the region’s environment and the Wild theme.
New Jersey Devils – Simple concept incorporating location’s initials and team concept, very well done.
San Jose Sharks – Design I’d expect to see on a biker’s jacket, straight up tough.
The Best Logos in MLB
Arizona Diamondbacks – Again, I’m a sucker for logos that tie together lettering and theme.
Pittsburgh Pirates – With a name like Pirates, it sure took them a long time to pick a logo that’s mean.
Colorado Rockies – Similar to Utah Jazz.
New York Mets – Great use of cityscape considering “Mets” gives you nothing.
The Best Logos in the NCAA
There are a zillion logos in college, so these are simply some of the best. I won’t comment on each one, but they are generally simple, incorporate the mascot well, and possibly are tough looking.
Colorado Buffaloes – This state has great logos with the Avalanche, the Rockies, the Nuggets, and even Colorado State (sorry Rams, the Buffaloes’ logo is better).
DePaul Blue Demons – Bad ass, Satanic logo at a Catholic university.
Hofstra Pride – Like Penn State’s, but not simple to the point of absurdity.
Miami Hurricanes – This resurgent football school (I’m guessing still filled with criminals, however) did a great job combining theme with lettering.
San Jose State Spartans – And it’s the Warriors’ color scheme.
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels – One of the few with the name on top of the logo that works well.
The Best Logo in All of Sports
Army Black Knights – If Hester Prynne wore this on her chest, Boston would have left her the hell alone out of pure, unadulterated fear.
See Also:
– NBA Logo Report Cards, Pt. 1
– NBA Logo Report Cards, Pt. 2
– NBA Logo Report Cards, Pt. 3
Zachariah Blott is a dish best served cold.
No Comments »Posted by ETB Contributor on Oct. 23, 2009 at 3:02 am in MLB, Miscellaneous, NBA, NFL
