The Toronto Raptors are one of the newer franchises in the National Basketball Association, a team that only arrived in the mid-1990s. However, within under 30 years, the franchise has carved out an iconic style thanks to its stylish jerseys and legendary logo.
The Toronto Raptors logo was inspired by Jurassic Park, which took movie theaters by storm around the same time the franchise existed. In 30 years, the franchise has featured just four primary logos and numerous alternate logos. Let’s look at some of the iconic logos the franchise has featured throughout its history.
When the Toronto Raptors launched in 1995/96, few people would have known they would become one of the country’s most beloved teams. But they could understand that the franchise would employ a stylish logo.
The first Raptors logo was released alongside the NBA team in 1995/96. It featured a velociraptor dribbling a basketball, wearing shoes with talons protruding from them. The raptor was set on a circular field with seven triangular edges above it. The field was black with a purple lining, and the word 'Raptors' was written in silver. This was the logo from 1995/96 to 2007/08, during the iconic days of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
The next era of the Toronto Raptors would arrive in 2008/09. This “new” logo was markedly similar to the old logo. It featured the same Raptor and the same backdrop. There was only one actual difference in the logo: the coloring. Instead of a purple and black backdrop, the backdrop was red and black. This would remain the franchise’s logo from 2008/09 until 2014/15. This was the logo for much of the Chris Bosh era and the beginning of the Kyle Lowry/Demar Derozan era.
Following this logo, the Raptors overhauled their next logo as the team shifted gears. Entering 2015/16, they unveiled a new logo. This logo was circular, with the top half of the circle containing the word “Toronto” and the bottom half containing the phrase “Raptors.” In the middle of the circle was a grey basketball with three talon marks on its left side. The outer edge of the circle was lined with red. This was the logo worn by the Toronto Raptors as they earned the franchise’s first, and thus far only, NBA championship in 2019.
Given the run of success that the Raptors have been on, it shouldn’t shock anyone that they are popular amongst sports bettors. The gambling industry in the province has taken off in recent years, and fans are now legally able to wager on the Raptors in dozens of sportsbooks in Ontario.
In 2020/21, the franchise changed its logo again, which remains the current one used by the franchise. It is a very similar logo design to the previous one. It features the same design, with the only alteration being the color. There isn’t a red lining on the edge of the black circle anymore. Instead, the grey basketball was changed to red, adding a pop of color to the logo. As the franchise looks to level up with Scottie Barnes and a young core, this is the logo that the team will be rocking.
There have also been numerous alternate logos worn by the team over the past several decades. The franchise recently unveiled a new one for their 30th anniversary. These logos have included a Drake night version of their current logo, which was altered to be black and gold, an iconic logo featuring a red raptor eating a grey ball, and a logo with a purple basketball with three claw marks above it. Overall, the Raptors' logos have contributed to their status as a hugely popular Canadian franchise.
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