The Calgary Flames’ iconic “Flaming C” logo has remained fundamentally unchanged since the team’s relocation from Atlanta to Calgary in 1980. This remarkable consistency in branding is rare in professional sports, where redesigns often occur to boost merchandise sales or reflect changing ownership. The logo was created when Nelson Skalbania, fronting a group of Calgary businessmen, including oil magnates Harley …
The UCF Knights of the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando have managed to build a sports legacy that is indeed very formidable, with American football being their best game. The university’s athletic undertakings date to 1969 with a basketball team, but it was on the gridiron that the Knights truly hit their stride, growing from humble beginnings to a …
If you look at any sports team’s logo from its first season to the modern day, there are likely to have been changes. Even expansion teams that have only been around for 20 or 30 years will have tweaked and tinkered with its most recognizable asset of brand identity. Sometimes, the alterations are drastic – usually in an attempt to …
Prominent NHL team, the Vancouver Canucks have had several changes over their history, and their logo is no exception. From modest origins to becoming one of the most identifiable logos in hockey, the development of the Canucks logo offers a unique window into the team’s character and connection to Vancouver. Their primary logo’s history is rich in modifications that mirror …
The University of Akron’s athletics program—otherwise known as the Akron Zips—has a storied history dating back over 130 years. Intercollegiate sports are competitive and exciting across the US, and the Zips are a juggernaut with more than 300 athletes performing across 17 sports. Moving through their third decade of Mid-American Conference membership going from strength to strength, the Zips are …
The Los Angeles Kings’ logo has changed dramatically since the team joined the NHL in 1967. Their first design featured a jewel-encrusted crown in purple and gold colors, officially called “Forum Blue.” This royal theme established their unique identity in professional hockey. The Kings’ visual brand changed a lot over time. A significant shift happened in 1988 when the team …
Out in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder are ruling the roost. They’ve found their form and have lost only a few games at home and on the road this season. Last season, the Thunder finished first in their division but couldn’t finish the job in the playoffs. The Thunder has many young players who …
Sports logos are interesting to design. Because, yes, they start as simple team identifiers, but! We’re well aware by now how they go on to symbolize pride and tradition; they unite people, which is incredibly important when the competition is as fierce as it is. Over the years, many iconic logos have transformed to reflect the turns of history and …
The Minnesota Lynx logo evolution represents an intriguing study in sports branding, reflecting broader cultural shifts in women’s professional basketball. Design historians and sports researchers continue examining how team imagery adapts to changing aesthetic preferences while maintaining core identity elements. This logo-driven paradigm may seem shallow, but it largely contributes to other sports-related landscapes, including sports betting. Line Reading, which …
The Vancouver Grizzlies are an NBA franchise that lasted from 1995 to 2001 and holds a special place in basketball lore. The grizzly bear, as it appeared on their logo, became the team’s symbolic identity and cultural icon of British Columbia. In their inaugural season, the Grizzlies boasted an average attendance of 17,183 fans per game, a record the franchise …
