The NBA Logo was Inspired by a Lakers Basketball Player
Basketball is a sport that is said to be over 130 years old. It’s a game that originated in North America in around 1891, and since then, has taken off to become a phenomenon, attracting many of the best athletes that the world has ever seen.
The NBA league itself was formed in 1946, and in around 80 years, the NBA has moved from an 11-team league to a 30-team powerhouse that is recognized as the leading authority for professional basketball on a worldwide scale.
The league was named “National Basketball Association” on 3rd of August, 1949, and it has kept that name until today.
The infamous NBA logo is one of the identifiers of the sport and evidences the point that regardless of how plain a logo might be if used consistently and well, it can become a staple for any brand or sport. Let’s talk about the NBA logo and its evolution.
The Current NBA Logo
The NBA logo today has a couple of different symbolisms behind it. For one: if we take a look at the red, white, and blue, they can only symbolize one thing… America!
This All-American color scheme was designed to maintain the image that basketball is for all Americans, not just a select few. However, as we have come to see, many of the world’s best basketball players are not American, which speaks to the popularity of the sport on a global level.
Who is the man on the logo?
Great question! Well, the man on the logo is none other than LA Lakers legend Jerry West. The logo that we know the NBA has today was designed by a man named Alan Siegil in 1969.
The photo was perfect for a new NBA logo. Basketball is all about high jumps, tall players and upward movement. So, a vertical, dynamic and tall silhouette of the Lakers player fitted the new logo just fine.
An NBA champion, Jerry West, was often regarded as the most valuable player. And except for his sports achievements, his constitution was perfect for becoming both NBA and basketball emblem.
The Evolution of the NBA Logo
In total, the NBA has seen five different logos, including the one that we know today.
1950-1953
From 1950-1953, the NBA used a basic white ball design with red writing front and centre. It was simple, yet effective for the time and has was a great starting point for the association.
1953-1962
For the next 10 seasons, a red NBA logo was used and offered a welcome contrast to the white logo that had been used for some years before.
1962-1969
For the next seven years, the NBA went back to a simple off-white design, however, the ABA provided a lot of competition, and soon after the NBA felt that they had to change their logo to keep themselves current, modern, and relatable. This is how the idea for the current logo came along.
1969-Present
Since the late 1960’s, the NBA has been represented by the now-iconic image of a basketball player set against a red and blue background. In 2017 it underwent a slight modernization, but the core logo design has remained the same. It is this consistency that has helped the NBA build its image and establish itself as a leading global brand.
Special Edition NBA Logos
This is the limited edition 75th anniversary logo that the NBA designed in 2021. The logo has been featured on court, and on merchandise for the last season. The diamond is symbolic of the legendary status of logoman Jerry West, but it can also be said that the diamond represents the high value and prestige that the NBA has built for itself over time.
**All NBA logos are iconic in their own rights, and have represented their teams for a long time. A team logo can serve to highlight a city, a specific feature, or even the team name itself using clever imagery. Believe it or not, the Chicago Bulls are the only team in NBA history that have never changed their logo.
How Popular is the NBA Logo?
Well, for one, the logo is said to bring in around $3 million per year in revenue, which is astonishing. However, there is a reason behind its success, and it comes down to one word… merchandise.
The logo can be seen on a vast variety of merchandise, from sports equipment and apparel, to posters and decorations, and everything in-between.
Whether you are drawing inspiration from the NBA logo or are simply interested in its history, this logo is certainly worthy of attention. It’s an effective design that has stood the test of time, continuing to represent one of the most popular sports leagues in the world today.