Alternate Logos
The NBA has a rich history of alternate logos that have added depth and creativity to the visual identity of its teams. These alternate logos, often used in addition to the primary team logos, provide a unique and dynamic representation of each franchise. Let's explore the captivating history of NBA alternate logos and their evolution.
In the early years of the NBA, alternate logos were relatively scarce. Many teams primarily relied on their primary logos for representation. However, alternate logos emerged as the league grew in popularity and teams sought to establish a more substantial brand presence. The Chicago Bulls, for instance, introduced an alternate logo in 1966 featuring a fierce-looking bull with sharp horns, conveying a sense of strength and determination.
In the 1990s, the NBA experienced a surge in creativity and design experimentation, greatly influencing alternate logos' development. The Charlotte Hornets, known for their vibrant color scheme and unique branding, introduced a striking alternate logo in 1993. This logo featured a menacing hornet's head, inspired by the team's mascot, with intricate details and bold colors. It became an iconic symbol of the team's identity and resonated with fans.
As technology advanced and design trends evolved, NBA alternate logos incorporated more modern and sleek elements. After relocating from New Jersey in 2012, the Brooklyn Nets introduced a minimalist alternate logo. The logo featured a basketball with a simplified "B" emblem, symbolizing the team's connection to the borough of Brooklyn and its contemporary approach to the sport.
In recent years, NBA alternate logos have become even more diverse and creative. The Milwaukee Bucks, for example, unveiled a compelling alternate logo in 2015, known as the "Fear the Deer" logo. This logo showcased a fierce-looking deer with antlers forming an "M," representing the team's fearless and aggressive playing style.
NBA alternate logos continue to evolve, captivating fans with their unique designs and storytelling elements. These logos contribute to the league's visual appeal and provide additional excitement to the NBA experience. As we look to the future, we can expect even more innovative and captivating alternate logos that will further enhance the visual identity of each NBA team.
NBA Products
Boston Celtics
Silhouette of green leprechaun spinning basketball on white circle with wordmark "BOSTON CELTICS" in green and a green border.
Brooklyn Nets
Black letter "B" on a white basketball. The letter "B" represents the city of Brooklyn.
Charlotte Hornets
"BUZZ CITY" in white on hexagon background in dark purple with a teal and grey border.
Chicago Bulls
A red bull with two white, red-tipped horns. The wordmark "CHICAGO BULLS" is removed from the primary logo.
Cleveland Cavaliers
A cursive custom letter "C" in maroon with gold highlights. Elimination of navy blue and switch to more metallic gold.
Dallas Mavericks
A blue curved “M” with a silver basketball on a black shield. The letter “M” stands for Mavericks. New shades of blue and silver in this new logo version.
Denver Nuggets
Denver skyline in blue with gold trim and a red with white trim mountain range behind with half a gold basketball acting as sun in the background. A gold star located below the cityscape.
Detroit Pistons
The letter "D" in blue with red trim and a silver and blue basketball flying through the counter of the letter "D."
Golden State Warriors
Wordmark "The" scripted and "BAY" in blue above a blue and yellow circle of the bay as a basketball.
Houston Rockets
A space shuttle mashed with a letter "R" blasting off through a basketball hoop. Length of the trails beneath the ship altered for 2019 - 2020 season.
Indiana Pacers
State of Indiana in blue with yellow basketball from Pacers primary brand, star represents location of Indianapolis within the state.
Los Angeles Clippers
The letters "LA" in red with a blue letter "C" wrapped around it to form the shape of a basketball court placed inside a black and white basketball. The letters "LAC" stand for the city…
Los Angeles Lakers
A purple letter "L" streaking on yellow and purple basketball. The letter "L" stands the team nickname Lakers.
Memphis Grizzlies
A grizzly bear claw gripping a basketball, rotated slightly from previous logo to allow claws to form a letter "M," colors also adjusted to new colors.
Miami Heat
A red basketball with flames goes through a white hoop. Heat primary logo without the wordmark.
Milwaukee Bucks
Green and cream basketball with deer antler design in the seams, the letter "M" in green at bottom. The letter "M" represents the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves wolf facing right in blue and grey with a green eye. A green star above the wolf.
New Orleans Pelicans
The bird-de-lis logo, a pelican and a basketball inside a fleur-de-lis.
New York Knickerbockers
The letters "NYK" in black on a orange background with a blue and silver outline. This is known as the "Subway Token Logo." The letters "NYK" represent the city and the team's nickname New York…
Oklahoma City Thunder
"OKC" in white on a blue, white and yellow shield with a orange basketball. The letters "OKC" stand for the city and the team nickname Oklahoma City Thunder. A part of the primary logo without…
Orlando Magic
A blue and silver basketball arched and followed by a trail of white and silver stars. A part of the primary logo less the wordmark.
Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Franklin with his famous eye glasses dribbling a white basketball moving forward. Ben is wearing red pants and a blue coat with a red "7" and a white "6." Ben also has on black…
Phoenix Suns
The initials "PHX" on a shield against a basketball that is in flames forming the shape of a Phoenix bird. Slight change of colors from the 2001 - 2013 logo. The letters "PHX" stand for…
Portland Trailblazers
Trail Blazers' featuring their nickname of "ripcity" as an official alternate team logo. The logo has the word "rip" in red and "city" in black.
Sacramento Kings
A purple and silver lion wearing a crown in the shape of a basketball and he is roaring.
San Antonio Spurs
A black with sliver outlines of a basketball with the letters "SA" centered and vertical. The letters "SA" represent the city of San Antonio.
Toronto Raptors
A black basketball with three raptor claw marks, wordmark "TORONTO RAPTORS" around it in black.
Utah Jazz
A "J" note with a basketball connected to a musical note in blue. No more multi-colors.
Washington Wizards
Red, white and blue basketball with the Washington Monument positioned front and center with a silver star inside and at the top. A part of the primary logo less the wordmark.
