The story of the NBA logo
It was 1969. The National Basketball Association was locked in a bitter battle against its upstart rival, the American Basketball Association. At stake: fans, players, media—and millions of dollars.
The NBA turned to Alan Siegel, founder of Siegel+Gale.
Seeking inspiration, Siegel poured through the photo archives of Sport magazine. A particular photo of the All-Star Jerry West grabbed his attention: It was dynamic, it was vertical, it captured the essence of the game.
Jerry West photo by Wen Roberts, via Laker Talk
The NBA is reluctant to acknowledge that it’s Jerry West in the logo, and Siegel, a lifelong basketball fan, believes he knows why.
“They want to institutionalize it rather than individualize it. It’s become such a ubiquitous, classic symbol and focal point of their identity and their licensing program that they don’t necessarily want to identify it with one player.”
NBA Commissioner David Stern, through a spokesman, declines to comment, saying he doesn’t know whether West is on the logo.
“There’s no record of it here,” spokesman Tim Frank says.
Today, this classic image generates $3 billion a year in licensing, and the NBA name symbolizes the pinnacle of excellence in professional basketball.
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That’s the brief version. Read more on the Siegel+Gale and LA Times websites.
More iconic designs in Logo Design Love’s “classic” category.
13 appreciated comments, click here to add one
David Buchanan
No, sorry that’s dated and does nothing for me. Maybe because it’s not something I was brought up with but looking at it with ‘fresh’ eyes it’s derivative and very boring.
Apr 22nd, 2011
Patricia Daeley
Er–if the NBA logo is derived from a photo of Jerry West, doesn’t the NBA owe a little $omething to photographer Wen Roberts and to Mr. West?
No wonder NBA spokesman Tim Frank says there’s no record at HQ.
Apr 22nd, 2011
Wendy Roberts Hays
Wen Roberts had an only daughter and one grandson whom he loved dearly. His 3rd wife Mary didn’t seem to mention that in his Obituary. Very Strange indeed. Nor have we even been able to see a copy of his will and or trust. She was shredding documents left & right at his celebration of life gathering. I am positive friends of my Dad’s who knew him best within the Lakers would find all this very interesting. Hope the lineage of my Father’s many action shots, being the house photographer at the Forum will one day be in the hands of where they rightfully belong. He was an amazing Dad and photographer! I know what is true in my heart and no one can take that.
May 12th, 2011
Kelly Muir
I love the fact that the logo was created in 1969 and it still stands just as strong over 40 years later. Why would you even slightly change it when it brings in that much money!!
May 18th, 2011
John Baxter
For a logo to last 40 years (so far) and become such a classic icon, just goes to show that it doesn’t need to change. I strongly disagree with it being boring, the logo captures basketball and one of the most easily recognisable logos in the world to date.
Jun 20th, 2011
Tiffani West
Jerry west is my great uncle. Though I’ve never met him, from what I’ve read he deserves that logo. It doesn’t need to change and it does capture basketball.
Dec 26th, 2011
Carmen McDonald
I know it sounds pretty ignorant but since I couldn’t remember I assumed this was the silhouette of Michael Jordan. How very womanly of me, right? Imagine my embarrassment and reluctance to accept the truth. :)
May 8th, 2012
Nathan
The nba logo also looks like a simillar photo taken of bob cousey from boston!
Aug 14th, 2012
Scoota
@nathan, you would be right except for one very big detail — you missed Bob Cousy was a righty and couldn’t dribble with his left. It’s West, and it was confirmed by the person who created the damn thing. That is who the quote up above came from.
Sep 18th, 2012
james k. williams
Come on now, the logo is of Mr. Naismith, right?
Oct 21st, 2012
Christopher
I am a tennis fan. The ATP (pro tennis governing body) had a similar logo for most of the 1980s. It portrayed the server in motion though “who” it was was not discernible. It was every bit as fluid, vertical and elegant as this Jerry West logo. Since then, they’ve screwed it up by having two replacement logos in the past 20yrs or so. Neither was as striking and effective as the original ATP logo, and that was inspired by the NBA one. This is a masterpiece of sports branding that should never be changed.
Nov 9th, 2012
Jeff
Nathan is absolutely right, Scoota. Take the Cousy photo and invert it. Voila! NBA logo.
Dec 11th, 2012
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