The NBA logo: a history

NBA logo
(Image credit: NBA)

The NBA logo has grown to become more than just an emblem – to many fans it's a symbol of discipline, strength and sporting excellence. The striking white silhouette of ‘Logoman’ dribbling the ball has developed an enduring design legacy, breaking the barriers of the sport to become a cultural icon of its own.

While the NBA was founded in 1946, many attribute the creation of its strong brand identity to its success, transforming basketball into the global sport it is today. As one of the best sports logos of all time, the timelessness of the emblem is a testament to the power of good design, proving that simple graphics can have an enduring influence. Without further ado, let's dive into the NBA logo's history.

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Jon Stapley

Jon is a freelance writer and journalist who covers photography, art, technology, and the intersection of all three. When he's not scouting out news on the latest gadgets, he likes to play around with film cameras that were manufactured before he was born. To that end, he never goes anywhere without his Olympus XA2, loaded with a fresh roll of Kodak (Gold 200 is the best, since you asked). Jon is a regular contributor to Creative Bloq, and has also written for in Digital Camera World, Black + White Photography Magazine, Photomonitor, Outdoor Photography, Shortlist and probably a few others he's forgetting. 

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