Do you think about what type of golf clubs you buy? If you are like many golfers, a great deal of daydreaming is dedicated to this topic. People buy a certain brand not just for its technological capabilities, but for its image and its appeal to others. Your golf clubs are not just a tool, but a status symbol. These ten sports logos offer a cohesive brand that golfers will love to partake of.

1. Katana Golf Logo Design

This Golf Brand logo design may appear simple, but appearances can be deceiving. The bold, black lettering gives an imposing image that is underscored by the use of triangular shapes for the letter A. Triangles also make up an important part of the logo’s image, which is a K formed from triangles situated on either side of a slash. The slash combined with the slightly angled lettering give a feeling of movement that is crucial to this and most other sport logos.

2. Pinnacle Golf Brand Logo Design

This logo design also implies speed and movement, although it does so in a very different manner. The image of this logo design features a white circle, representing a golf ball, in a comet-like shape. This obviously implies that this brand helps to improve speed and distance. This is furthered by the tagline: ‘Distance doesn’t have to be hard’. The name of the company gives a substantial feeling due to the use of bold, blocky, entirely upper case letters. Again we see a serious black and white color scheme, but this time accentuated by a calming splash of royal blue.

3. Ping Logo Design

This well recognized golf logo design chooses to use no image, instead letting the text do the talking. The letters are large and thick, but softened by subtle rounding. The font is decidedly modern. The tagline below communicates important information about brand values, but the difference in font is notable. The use of an italicized font softens an otherwise bold image and gives a very subtle feeling of movement without taking over the logo design itself.

4. Nike Golf Logo Design

Nike Golf’s logo design is successful in that it both differentiates this line from the overall brand while tying into the parent company as well. A shield shapes communicates tradition, which is more important in golf than in most other sports. The Nike Swoosh is shown prominently within this shape, along with two crossed golf clubs and a small ball. The brand font is used, with thin, modern lettering that makes the image appear a little more approachable. This logo design is undeniably related to the Nike corporation, but also relevant to the tradition-loving sport of golf.

5. Foot-Joy Logo Design

Again we see all upper case letters to add a feeling of substance that is well received in the game of golf. This logo design is interesting because it combines the brands initials into the shape of a rounded square. Not only does this tie into the name, it also lends the traditional edge of a square with the nonthreatening feeling of rounded edges. The message is that this brand is a standard that even beginners can use, a message that has attracted golf enthusiasts in droves.

6. Honma Golf Brand Logo Design

While many golf companies use a thick, imposing font, Honma distinguishes their company from the competition by using thin, modern writing. The ‘O’ of the logo design is a rounded, inclusive circle with a small seal peeking out. The origin and significance of this sea creature to the company is unknown, but it creates a recognizable image that is different from any other in the field of golf. Instead of boring black and white, an attention-getting red color ensures that this unassuming logo design attracts attention. The Honma golf logo design is a good example of breaking the rules with great success.

7. Maxfli Golf Brand Logo Design

This company name suggests speed and strength, an impression that is further communicated by the logo design. The sole image is of a red circle outlines so that it resembles a bullseye at its margins. Not only does this friendly shape resemble a ball, relevant to the game, it also suggests a bulls-eye and greater aim in a very subtle, subconscious way. The writing is modern, with a golf ball-like dot as the crossbar in the ‘A’. Angular writing with ample hard edges gives an edgy feeling of strength and superiority that balances the inclusiveness of the round image.

8. Callaway Golf Brand Logo Design

This logo is plain, which seems to be a common theme in golf logo design, but nonetheless expressive. Old English writing reinforces the image that this is a traditional and upscale choice in golf equipment. However, the gentle curving of the lettering is significant because it balances this formidable image a touch of friendliness and approachability. The word ‘golf’ is written in block letters that are plain and unimposing, communicating what sport the brand specializes in without detracting from the rest of the image.

9. Titleist Golf Brand Logo Design

This logo design is one of the plainest in golf and represents one of the best known brands as well. It is a good example of a simple yet iconic logo. The writing is rounded for friendliness and slightly slanted to give a feeling of movement. However, it is a very traditional font, relating to the air of tradition that infuses this sport, and thick enough to be noticeable. While there is no image, in this case none is needed. Sporting enthusiasts all over the world associate this golf logo design with the brand it represents.

10. Mizuno Golf Brand Logo Design

This brand is one of the strongest Japanese golf companies, with a logo design that has been displayed by big names in the sport such as Tiger Woods. Although the image is that of a ‘run-bird’, the name of one of the company’s most popular models of athletic shoe, the image of speed and grace is relevant to people in the sport of golf. The writing is thick and bold but subtly rounded to avoid being overly harsh. The ‘M’ is drawn to resemble waves, which are another common symbol of speed and movement in a positive direction. The overall impression is that this brand is all about speed and change, which is a positive one indeed.

Racing is a logo oriented industry. There is a huge potential for publicity if a sponsored racer wins or otherwise receives media attention. On the other hand, it can be a real challenge to make your company’s logo designs stand out in the limited space and clutter of a helmet or bike. This gives the designers of dirt bike company logo designs a very specific laundry list, including high recognition and the ability to look good at any size. These ten sports logos grab the attention of viewers, communicate a racing-friendly brand, and are easy to recognize at any size, which is probably why these are also among the most popular brands in the world of dirt bike racing.

1. Fox Dirt Bike Racing Logo Design

What could be more relevant to a company with this name than a logo design featuring the picture of a fox? Because foxes are also fast and sneaky, they are appropriate both for the name and the image. The fox in question is stylized to appear ultra-modern and sleek, making for a highly recognizable image that is recognizable in any color scheme and at any size.

2. Thor Logo Design

This logo design features the company name written in rounded lower case letters that are decidedly informal as well as slightly italicized to give a feeling of movement and speed. Because these are core values for this genre, the effect is overwhelmingly positive. The image of the logo design ties into the name, with half of a Viking mask to represent the god Thor. Using half of a mask instead of a whole one creates additional visual interest and adds to the recognition factor of the logo.

3. Scott Dirt Bike Racing Logo Design

Again we see italicized letters to connote speed, this time in all capitals for a stronger impression. The image is in the shape of a rounded square, communicating tradition, but this shape contains waves, which add to the feeling of speed and movement. The logo wording is filled with white to increase readability, which is important in a sport where the sponsored rider is moving at high speeds most of the time.

4. JT Racing USA Logo Design

This logo design features the company name, with the two initials in large, blocky letters. However, they are highly recognizable due to the fact that one is lower case while the other is a capital. The words ‘Racing USA’ are nestled in the shadow of the ‘T’ and written in a much friendlier rounded cursive font. The way the letters are shaded makes the logo appear to be coming out at the viewer, which adds visibility while creating a more attractive overall picture.

5. Bell Helmets Logo Design

While other brands seem to be aiming for the strongest possible image, Bell is a little more subtle. Although red letters in thick, capital letters certainly pull in the eye, they are enclosed in a thin oval that is friendly and inclusive. The effect is very well balanced and different from most of the logos in the field.

6. Fly Racing Logo Design

In this case, the logo design is configured to resemble an inverted triangle, adding a feeling of strength to the logo that is mirrored by the shape of the letter F. The way this F is drawn so it appears to have speed lines coming off its left side gives a feeling of strength that is reinforced by slightly angled writing. Black with a splash of red seems to be a common color choice in the dirt bike racing industry, at least partly due to its aggressive feeling and highly visible nature.

7. Pro Circuit Logo Design

This logo design also uses angled writing for a feeling of movement and speed, but their image is very different. The circle in question is dissected by longitude and latitude lines, clearly referencing a globe. While the circular shape gives a feeling of friendliness, the reference to our planet suggests that this brand is a global leader in its field. The letters are drawn in an ultra-modern font with minimal shading to help them stand out amongst the others.

8. Rekluse Dirt Bike Racing Logo Design

This logo design is different from all of those we have looked at so far. Instead of bold letters, thin, edgy ones are used. A shape of a spider hangs down from the company name, tying in to the deadly brown recluse spider for which the company was named. This image also is thin and angular, with warm orange and yellow accents. A tagline written between brackets in friendly lower case letters, warning potential customers that not buying this brand will put them at risk to be left behind. This logo design certainly stands out in its field simply because it seems to be very different from the pack.

9. One Industries Logo Design

This logo design achieves balance by using elements that communicate opposite messages. The letter O is formed into a square shape that contains a stylized number one. The hard edges of the image are balanced by the company name below written in rounded, lower case writing. The only color in the logo is the word industries written in a sunny yellow, adding a spark of brightness. As with many other racing logos, the image and wording are both angled to give that all important feeling of movement.

10. Smith Dirt Bike Racing Logo Design

Because this company specializes in optical gear and eye protection, the use of the shape of an eye for its main image is highly appropriate. Instead of an iris and pupil, however, this ‘eye’ has two wavelike shapes that communicate movement while forming a stylized version of the letter S. The lettering is thin and rounded to avoid detracting from the memorable image, but slightly slanted to give a feeling of speed and movement. This logo design is powerful enough to carry the company through a variety of sports, which is exactly what it needs.

Skateboarding brands are generally thought of as being run in a way that is counter to consumer culture, but they must follow the same basic branding rules as every other company. Like more traditional businesses, a skateboarding company must create a brand image and use their logo design to communicate information about their brand and the quality of their products. These brands all have a sports logo design that helps create a brand that appeals to their target market, skateboarders and adolescents all over the nation.

1. Birdhouse Logo Design

This logo design has a main image that is a lower case B in the shape of a curving road. Not only is this image directly relevant to both the company name and the industry, it gives an impression of movement as well as a casual feeling. The name of the company is written below in similarly friendly rounded, lower case letters, with a small bird dotting the I to tie in to the name. This image obeys one of the cardinal rules of skateboarding logos: create an image that is simple and iconic enough to be recognized both from far distances and while the logo itself is attached to a moving object.

2. Circa Logo Design

The main graphic of this logo design is two bars wrapped around a rounded inverted triangle, which refers directly to the name Circa. The triangle is generally seen as a symbol of strength, but the rounded edges give a more friendly feeling. The bold but gently curving letters add to the general message of strength and friendliness. The way the I is formed to resemble a number 1 implies excellence in their field, a positive image for a company aimed at creating products for a competitive sport.

3. Plan B Logo Design

Most people recognize immediately that the central image is that of a stylized B, but if you turn the image on its side, it looks like a skateboard shape. The square communicates straightforwardness and quality, which sets the brand apart in a genre where rounded shapes dominate. The green is a fresh, organic color that is a pleasant contrast to the reds and other bright hues typically seen in a skateboarding logo design. The wording is simple and neither adds to nor detracts from the power of the image.

4. Osiris Logo Design

This image may look vaguely like an eyeball looking down at the company name, but it is in fact an O situated at the bottom of an inclusive circle. The circular graphic is interesting and definitely attracts the eye, which makes it effective in this constantly moving industry. The writing is plain and rounded to compliment the image. There isn’t a lot to say about this simple image, but it is definitely attractive and unique, making it highly effective as can be seen in the role of the sports logo design post.

5. Independent Logo Design

Many people think that the cross image in this logo design is an Iron Cross, but it in fact is an Alisee cross that has been used dating back to the Templar Knights and the Crusades. Shortly after the company was formed in 1978, the Pope was featured on the front of Time magazine wearing a similar image. The founders thought it was iconic and strong, which is the image they wanted to give their burgeoning company. The rounded nature of the logo makes it a little less threatening, while also resembling a skateboard wheel. Because the Independent cross has been the symbol of the company for more than three decades, it’s easy to call this logo design a success and should in fact have been included in the top 10 sports teams logos.

6. Girl Logo Design

Despite the distinctly feminine name, this company does not make skateboarding products for females alone; in fact, most of their sponsored skateboarders are male. The name refers to the fact that the original Girl skateboards were splashed with images of attractive and scantily clad women. The image that makes up this logo design is the classic girl image seen on bathroom doors everywhere, giving the logo a recognizable and slightly dirty brand that is distinctly counterculture. Although the logo is not always printed in this feminine mint green, this nonetheless is an attractive and appropriate color for the company and should have been included in the Top 10 Sports League Logos.

7. Adio Logo Design

This name comes from an African tribal word for unity, but this theme is unfortunately not incorporated into the logo design. Nonetheless, this is an attractive logo, with an A formed into a wavy shape that is reminiscent of many of the concrete ramps seen at skateboarding parks while also communicating movement. The writing is bold and angular, lending strength to the image. This heavy image is bold and recognizable, although not entirely connected to the name.

8. Sessions Logo Design

This is the brand of skateboarding stars; at least, that is what this logo design communicates. The winning star is enclosed in a pentagon, which for obvious reasons is associated with intelligence and strength. The wavelike S in the center is a wavy shape that communicates movement while also resembling a road. No wording is included, but none is necessary due to the uniqueness of this logo.

9. Toy Machine Logo Design

While many skateboarding companies choose a simple, abstract image for their logo design, Toy Machine goes against the current by having a monster, one that has now reached icon status in the industry. Not only does this tie in (loosely) to the name, the monster is frightening enough to be edgy and cool. The all lower case, rounded writing gives a friendly, informal image that makes the image more fun than frightening, creating a balanced design that can be seen on skateboards everywhere.

10. Destructo Trucks Logo Design

Again we see a strong image, this time also looking like two roads converging into one. Because trucks are roughly triangular, this shape ties into the product as well. The rounded lettering balances the strength of the image, while the E turned on its side adds interest to an otherwise very plain image. If you look closely, the lines in the image are the same thickness as the letters, creating a balanced and cohesive logo design.

What must a theme park logo design convey? In some cases, family friendly fun is the desired brand. For others, a sense of technological thrill and superiority are the main message. Whatever the image that the theme park in question wants to convey, these logos are clear and communicative.

1. Disneyland Logo Design

As the first modern theme park, Disneyland also deserves first mention for their new logo design. The wording was recently redesigned to use a classic font reminiscent of royalty and fairy tales instead of the trademark Disney font. However, Cinderella’s castle is still the main image, although now only the top is shown coming majestically out of the clouds instead of the complete castle. The light blue combined with the tagline below give a dreamlike feeling that suggests this is a place to see fantasies come true.

2. California Adventure Logo Design

This Disney branded theme park retains elements of the parent brand while also conveying a distinctly Californian image. The trademark font is used for the word is used for the word Disney, which is interesting because it is not even used in the Disneyland logo. ‘California’ is written in a scrolling shape, while the word ‘Adventure’ is written in an eye catching red. The sun is shown setting behind a mountain, a common symbol of strength. If you look closely at the mountain, it is in the shape of a bear, which is the symbol of the Golden State.

3. SeaWorld Logo Design

An arrow like image in this case connotes movement while also resembling a killer whale, which is the main attraction at this oceanic theme park. The classic, newsy font is slightly rounded to give a friendly feeling while retaining a sense of factuality. The rounded shape cutting through the wording closely resembles the top of the planet, which ties again into the ocean theme. The blue is definitely appropriate for an ocean themed attraction, while the yellow is sunny and adds contrast.

4. Stratosphere Las Vegas Logo Design

This logo design is appropriate for a very unique theme park located at the top of a skyscraper in Las Vegas. The top of the building is shown in the image, while the name of the park is written in a dynamic, scrawling font that implies danger. The red, white, and blue color scheme is appropriate for an extreme attraction located in one the United States’ most famous cities.

5. Universal Studios Logo Design

This logo design shows how a theme park can tie seamlessly into a parent brand. The Universal Studios famous Earth logo is shown, with the words ‘Theme Parks’ written below the name. This image appears to be backlit, while the red background adds a sense of danger while creating a bright image. Because this terrestrial image is obviously similar to the original Universal logo while maintaining some uniqueness, this logo design is a success.

6. Discovery Cove Logo Design

This is a theme park where people can swim with dolphins, a promise that is clearly communicated by the logo design. An image of a dolphin is shown front and center in the logo design, with a person formed from negative space swimming beside it. A wave like design below communicates movement while obviously representing water. The blue color palette ties into the water as well, while promoting a clean and soothing image. The name of the establishment is written in thin, modern lettering that doesn’t detract from the well drawn image.

7. Nickelodeon Universe Logo Design

This theme park has two key benefits: it is located inside a large and bustling mall, and it is related to the beloved Nickelodeon brand. The familiar orange Nickelodeon logo design is used to tie the theme park into this popular television company, while the word ‘Universe’ is in bold, thick lettering in a slime green that is relevant to the channel as well. Stars and a sun are in the sea of green, tying into the name of the theme park and suggesting an ‘out of this world’ experience for children and their families.

8. Six Flags Logo Design

The Six Flags logo design is used by theme parks all over the nation, so it is important to have a relevant logo that is also versatile. This may seem like a tall order, but this logo design does the job with ease. The Six Flags for which the company is named are the central image in bright, elementary colors that suggest fun. The triangular shape of the flags is emphasized, including in the triangular flag that is used to dot the I in the first word. The wording this logo is rounded to give a friendly, inviting image, while Bugs Bunny, one of the mascots of the brand, is seen running gleefully toward the image.

9. Legoland Logo Design

The square, thick writing used in this logo design relates directly to the rectangular shape of the blocks for which this theme park is named. The N is specially designed so that it appear to be a mast, from which a serious, square flag bearing the familiar Lego logo is flown. The black and red compliment this logo beautifully while also drawing in the eye. Below, California is written in an informal font that is appropriate for this laid back state.

10. Silverwood/Boulder Beach Logo Design

This logo design ties two brands together into one cohesive theme park offering twice the fun. The Silverwood logo is serious and somber, with traditional lettering and not even a hint of an image. However, the youthful orange color hints at the fun that the theme park offers. Below, Boulder Beach, the attached water park, has a splashy font with water lapping at the edges as well as ‘water park’ written in a wave like shape. The use of complimentary colors and two different fonts creates a balanced image that is both bright and inviting without compromising the strength of either image.

Board games are one of the classic all-American pastimes, with a stack of them in just about every family’s closet. Although the game playing experience is certainly an important part of selecting which one to play, branding plays a major role in which games actually end up in the shopping cart. These board games represent not just some of the most entertaining games, but the ones with the best sports logo designs and the best brands as well, not unlike the top 10 gaming logos.

1. Monopoly Logo Design

This game is a classic well known to game lovers all over the world, and part of this success is due to the highly recognizable logo. The red is bound to pull in the eye, while black and white provide high contrast. The rectangular shape combined with the pointiness of the lettering gives a solid, traditional image that is befitting to this classic board game.

2. Scrabble Logo Design

There was a time when Scrabble was considered a boring game more suited for literary nerds and intellectuals, but rebranding and a fresh logo design have brought this game into the mainstream of the new millennium. Wavy lines are present throughout the logo to give a sense of movement, a theme that is echoed in the shape of the letters S and R. Despite the wavy movement throughout the logo design, the lettering is otherwise simple and plain, acknowledging the sensibility of the game.

3. Cranium Logo Design

The name of this game permeates the logo design, both in the image of a brain sitting squarely behind the writing and in the tagline directly below it. The bright color scheme shows that this is a game for all ages, an image that is bolstered by the elementary font. An orbital around the brain reflected by a halo above it add a humorous touch that hints at the humor in the game.

4. Samurai Logo Design

Natural materials and natural colours form the background for this logo design, a theme that compliments the Old World Asian name and theme of this game. The kanji character for samurai sits behind the same word written in English. The font is jagged and designed to be similar to the character behind, reinforcing the Asian theme of the game along with its name and brand. Every element of this logo design ties into the brand, making it a true success.

5. Risk Logo Design

This strategy game is truly a classic, with several versions that are loved by people all over the world. The bright red writing draws in the eye, while the black, white, and gold provide contrast. The bold writing with serifs implies the seriousness of this complicated war game. The R is cleverly drawn so that the spaces form a soldier on horseback holding a flag, subtly implying the subject of the game. A tagline is written below for people who cannot figure out what the game is about from the numerous other clues.

6. Mall Madness Logo Design

This board game logo design was clearly designed to appeal to its genre of young girls and tweens. The hot pink and purple color scheme is one that this group loves, while a little orange serves as an accent that stands out even more against the blue background. The writing is bold and cartoonish, while the two S’s at the end of the word ‘madness’ are drawn as dollar signs, an image relevant both to the game and to shopping malls in general. The current edition is tied into another powerful tween brand: Hannah Montana. However, there have been several additions of this game as the market preferences change.

7. Candyland Logo Design

Again, we see a board game logo design that is specifically marketed to a niche audience, in this case very young children. A bubbly logo made of candy sticks is surrounded by colorful characters from the game, an image that is both relevant to the product at hand and enticing to the consumer base it is targeting. Colorful blocks refer to the colorful path that the characters follow as children are playing the game. The bright elementary colors both draw in the eye and reinforce the image that this is a game for very young children.

8. Dungeons and Dragons Logo Design

Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most enduringly popular games of our times, although this popularity is limited to a relatively small but strong fan base. The logo seems to be text only, but it has several details that refer to the game. The ampersand in the logo is actual a small and twisted gold dragon, while the letters have flame-like images licking at the red that makes up the primary color. A gothic font with hard edges and calligraphic accents completes the medieval image that the rest of the logo portrays.

9. Ubongo Logo Design

This African themed game has a logo design that compliments the brand well. A natural background is surrounded with a bright, tropical border. The name of the game is written in a primitive font that hints at an older culture, while a smiling African mask below hints at the fun that the game holds. African animals such as an elephant complete the theme. The logo design is clearly relevant to the game and the brand, creating a product that is interesting to people looking for a little exotic entertainment.

10. Dominion Logo Design

This board game’s logo features the name written in a highly detailed, medieval font on a background that appears to be carved stone. This image is surrounded by soldiers with spears overlooking an idyllic village. The point of the game and the time period in which it is set are both crystal clear, letting game buyers know exactly what to expect.

Playing with a Logo: Sports League Logos that Go the Extra Mile

Nowhere is the role of a sports logo design more important than in major league sports. The sports logo must not only rally players and teams, but fans as well. Sports leagues may not have customers per se, but they are dependent on the people buying tickets, buying paraphernalia, and watching televised games and matches. These ten logos do a great job of holding the public interest while remaining appropriate and relevant to their particular sport.

1. National Hockey League Logo Design

The National Hockey League is unique among American Leagues because it crosses borders, with teams from neighboring countries. Because of this, the patriotic color scheme that will be common in other American sports leagues is notably absent. Instead, the NHL uses black and silver, hard colors that give a ‘black and white’ image to the sport while avoiding inadvertently using the colors of any given team. The shield shape is symbolic of tradition, while the lettering has just a touch of serifs for a harder image. This sport is known for being a little tougher than the others, and the logo expresses this well.

2. Canadian Football League Logo Design

The Canadian Football League is closely watched by many American football fans, but it retains its unique national flavor, which is expressed by its logo as well. The red is the same red as the Canadian flag, and the maple leaf symbol is central to the logo. A football is coming out of the maple leaf as if thrown, showing the purpose of the league. This The Canadian Football League logo says a lot in a very small space.

3. Premier League Logo Design

The Premier League has a European football logo that is recognized all over the world. A regal lion, the ‘king of beasts’, wears a kingly crown and sits with his foot propped on a soccer ball. The tail is formed into a familiar swoosh, a symbol of movement. The colors are identical to those of the British flag, leaving no question as to the country of origin. The image is fierce, traditional, and regal, which is exactly the image that this league is trying to project.

4. National Football League Logo Design

The NFL logo is recognizable to American football fans both in the United States and all over the world. The traditional shield is used to show a long history, as well as the familiar red, white, and blue of the American flag. A football is prominently displayed, as are several stars to represent the star status of the players. In all, this logo expresses key information about the league in a meaningful and effective manner.

5. Major League Soccer Logo Design

Major League Soccer doesn’t always get the attention it deserves in the United States, but this certainly isn’t due to its logo. The logo is in attractive modern colors, including hard-edged black and white along with a relaxing blue and green, just like the Adanspor Turkey Football team logo design. A stylized foot is shown kicking a soccer ball, leaving no question as to the sport being referred to. The square shape gives an air of tradition and rule-following, which fits in with the game of soccer in general. This soccer logo is sure to bring more attention to soccer in the United States just like the top 10 sports team logos.

6. Women’s Professional Soccer Logo Design

Women’s Professional Soccer is an up and coming league in the United States that is gaining in popularity almost by the day as more and more young women become soccer enthusiasts. The logo is nothing short of professional, with a blue, burgundy, and taupe color scheme that is a stylish version of the red, white, and blue used in other leagues. The image of an unmistakably feminine woman kicking a soccer ball is both dramatic and sport-specific, making it easy to guess what this league is all about.

7. Major League Baseball Logo Design

The MLB is one of the oldest professional leagues in the United States that is still in existence. The logo shows this, with a square shape and a classic patriotic color scheme. The image of a man hitting a baseball with a baseball bat makes it easy to guess what sport the logo refers to. The name of the league is written below in attention-getting red in square letters that are strong and plain.

8. Arena Football League Logo Design

The Arena Football League is just a little different from other football leagues and the logo shows it. Arena football tends to be faster-paced than other types of football, and the way the letters are slanted to imply movement underscores this. The shield denotes traditions, but the football literally flying away from the central player in a white swoosh is another sign of speed and movement. This logo is similar enough to the NFL logo that one can tell they are referring to the same game, but the differences are displayed in a language more universally understood even than words.

9. Women’s National Basketball Association Logo Design

The WNBA also uses a slightly slanted logo to show movement and speed. The basketball logo design itself is very similar to the men-only NBA, but the central figure is clearly a woman playing basketball rather than a man. The use of a shield and the same NBA color scheme imply that the women are playing the same traditional sport, but the few details show that there are key differences between the two leagues.

10. NASCAR Logo Design

The National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR, has a colorful car logo that shows the colorful nature of this sport and its fan base. The font is bold with thick letters and no serifs, which implies strength. However, the letters are slanted to imply movement, as does the series of lines to the left of the wording. This logo gives a sense of uniqueness, tradition, and speed, all of which are relevant to stock car racing.

While a sport cannot be summed up in one small logo, these logos do a great job of relating all salient information in one visually attractive and cohesive image. Doubtless, many fans hold these images and their values close to their hearts, making these logos clear winners by any measure.

This is the second article of the ‘Role of Sports Logo Design’ series starting with basketball logo design. In our previous article, you are promised a series of articles on sports teams, clubs and tournaments and the way different sports play a crucial role in promoting the Brand names and Sports Logos of businesses all over the world, and so here you are with the sport of Golf in this article.

Golf is a ball and club (bat/stick) sport in which a golfer tries to hit the ball into as many holes dug in the ground as possible in the shortest time on an open area called green, course and links. Like every other fine art or sport, golf sport also needs sponsors, and sponsors need some interesting activity – be it an entertainment programme or sport event – to promote their brand name! This sport of golf is a decent and mostly silent sport. Some people who have not had enough understanding or knowledge of this sport may think it a passive or lazy sport, or an expensive sport which is not within the reach of an average sport-enthusiast. Though this notion might be true some years ago when only certain high profile clubs maintained golf courses and the entry into those clubs or those golf teams was a status symbol, and for the common people getting membership into those clubs or teams was only a dream, it is certainly everybody’s game now.

There are numerous clubs which accept any average person who can fulfil the clubs’ requirements and who can afford a nominal fee. In addition, there are many ex-players who couch the new entrants, without demanding high fees. And most importantly, there are several open places which are called golf courses, greens, links, made fit to play golf games.

And again there may be some us who think the sport of golf is not very lucrative in terms of money. And here again the sceptics are wrong. The money some of the top players make in a season is as high as that of the players of the other more popular sports make! For instance, Tiger Woods earned 110 million dollars from winnings and endorsements, $ 7.7 from the winnings and $ 92 million from endorsements, in 2008; Vijay Singh got $ 6,601,094 and Tiger Woods $ 5,775,000 in one match season in 2008.

A business establishment may be apprehensive whether to be a golf tournament sponsor and to spend a large amount on golf sport where the golf courses seem to be without crowds screaming from merely being there. But here again those sceptics are proven wrong. A quick look at the statics show us that golf is not a game without the thrills of its own.

Here we are given some figures for those who question the popularity of this up-coming sport: From somewhere about 8,000 to 200,000 spectators attend any high profile golf tournament. Around 123,000 spectators made the trip to Turnberry to watch and enjoy a tournament. A golf tournament organiser confidently said: “Next year at St Andrews we’ll have close to 200,000, while Muirfield in 2011 will have about 160, 000. It just reflects the location. Nearly 80,000 more will come to St Andrews in 2010 just to watch some of the top players ‘putting’ holes!”

And if you’re still pessimistic here are some figures that might make you realise whether this sport has potential or not, and whether there is enough scope for your brand and product to get the 1: 10 ratio returns!

Some of the top golf sponsors include financial institutions, large car companies, as well as some of the old regular sponsors such as watch companies, white goods companies etc. Let’s take a look at who is fighting whom for sponsorship results from a well-thought of, expensive and perhaps, effective marketing initiative.

Golf is becoming so popular these days that several industrial giants make their brand name appear on the list of sponsors:

Brittany Ferries Logo Design

Brittany Ferries – Sponsors of the English Golf Captains Final and Regional tournaments.

Canterbury Logo Design

Canterbury – Official supplier of training sportswear and base layer for the England Teams.

Carrick Neill Insurance Logo Design

Carrick Neill Insurance – for individuals requiring specialist golf insurance cover the EGU recommend the Golfers Policy administered by Carrick Neill & Co. Limited.

E-Z-GO Golf Cars Logo Design

E-Z-GO Golf Cars – suppliers of golf cars for EGU Championships.

Fairway Credit Logo Design

Fairway Credit – Official Partner of the EGU Club Services Team – maing golf club membership accessible and affordable for all.

FootJoy Logo Design

FootJoy – sponsors of the EGU Order of Merit measuring the top English player performance. Suppliers of footwear and rainwear for the England Teams.

John Deere Golf and Turf Equipment Logo Design

John Deere Golf and Turf Equipment – sponsors of the EGU Golf Club Roadshows.

Level 4 Logo Design

Level 4 – Sponsors of the English Golf Captains Final and Regional tournaments.

Fuller’s London Pride Logo Design

Fuller’s London Pride – sponsors of the EGU Gold Medal Championship and EGU Club Steward of the Year.

Oscar Jacobson Logo Design

Oscar Jacobson – Official suppliers of clothing for the England Teams.

PING Logo Design

PING – Sponsors of the English Golf Captains Qualifiers and National Final.

SkyCaddie Logo Design

SkyCaddie – Official Rangefinder of the English Golf Union and sponsors of the EGU Brabazon Trophy.

Titleist Logo Design

Titleist – sponsors of the EGU Order of Merit measuring the top English player performance. Suppliers of golf balls to the National Academy and the EGU.

Wilson Staff Logo Design

Wilson Staff – sponsors of the Wilson Staff Junior Golf Quiz.

These giant industries are not sponsoring this sport for nothing – there is definitely 1:10 ratio returns. When such great industries are in the race, it is quite obvious that there is a lot of opportunity for any business establishment to get their business promoted in this arena.

The next question any pessimist may come up with is: where can we ‘display’ our brand and products? The answer is simple: there are numerous vintage points all over the golf course – from the entrance to the greens; in and at the club building; on the premises; and on the equipment the players carry with them – golf bags, golf carts, balls, golf clubs (bats/sticks), etc!

And finally, no article on golf is complete without the mention of the most popular of all players Tiger Woods, the American professional golfer! Though there have been several charismatic golfers, Eldrick Tont ‘Tiger’ Woods, currently the World No.1, has made an ever-lasting mark in the history of golf!

Tiger Woods wears Nike clothes and Nike golf clubs, except his putter, a kind of golf club (bat/stick).

Here we have some businesses that have endorsements/association/partnership with this legend:

Electronic Arts (EA) Logo Design

Electronic Arts (EA) is the world’s leading interactive-entertainment software company, developing, publishing and distributing software for the Internet, PC and video-game systems.

Gatorade Tiger Logo Design

Gatorade Tiger The collaboration between Gatorade and Tiger Woods creates an unparalleled understanding of Tiger’s needs and the relentless quest to take himself and his game to a higher level.

Nike Golf Logo Design

Nike Golf Established to bring new focus to the golf business, Nike Golf’s objective is to create a great brand valued by passionate golfers.

Gillette Logo Design

The Gillette Champions promote Gillette’s premium shaving products as part of a worldwide campaign.

Golf Digest Logo Design

Golf Digest Golf Digest, the world’s No. 1 golf publication, has provided golfers with award-winning editorial for over 50 years and looks ike the logo was designed by an award winning logo design company.

NetJets Logo Design

NetJets NetJets is the pioneer and worldwide leader in fractional aircraft ownership.

Tatweer Logo Design

Tatweer: The Tiger Woods Dubai The first-ever Tiger Woods-designed golf-course community.

TLC Laser Eye Centers Logo Design

TLC Laser Eye Centers Tiger chose TLC Laser Eye Centers to correct his vision. Now he plays golf without contact lenses.

Upper Deck Logo Design

Upper Deck The Upper Deck Company, LLC. the leading provider of sports collectibles and a pioneer of autograph authentication has joined the elite ranks of Tiger’s corporate partners.

PGA TOUR Logo Design

The PGA TOUR is an organization of professional golfers.

What’s in a sports logo? Although most people don’t think of a sports team mascot or organization as a brand and the role of sports logo design, they indeed are one. In fact, sports teams and organizations can be some of the most popular and visible brands in our culture. As you peruse this logo design gallery, think of all the people you see wearing a t-shirt, ball cap, or jacket with one of these powerful, playful top ten sports logos or another of the many favorites.

1. San Diego Chargers

While the Chargers have always included a lightning bolt in their logo, their latest sports team logo is a logo alone. The lightning bolt is curved to closely follow the lines of a football league team helmet, which makes for an attractive uniform while subtly suggesting the sport the team plays. The lightning bolt is the same yellow of the uniform and also outlined in the blue that is the other team color. This logo is both simple and recognizable, earning it a place in our sports logo design gallery.

2. New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets change logos almost as often as they change hometowns—that is, pretty often. However, their latest logo has a place in any sports logo design gallery for its balance and thoughtful design. While many teams have used a shield shape for their basketball logo design, the Nets change it up so that the shield is angled away from the viewer. Adding a basketball hoop about two-thirds of the way down the shield not only ties in to the sport of basketball, it also balances the skinnier third of the shield for a more balanced, rounded look.

3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

This professional baseball team has earned a place in our logo design gallery for another simple yet effective design. With a baseball team mascot like an angel, the tendency would be to overstate the obvious. The Angels stick to a simple halo, which balances the skinny top of the letter A, along with serif-like projections that hint at an angel’s wings.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

This hockey team logo is a surprise to anyone who is not already familiar with it. While one might expect a Blackhawk mascot to be a bird, this team’s name in fact refers to an Indian tribe named for the bird. As such, the logo includes this mascot. The logo is more detailed than many other successful logos in this logo design gallery, but it has changed little over the years and is consistently rated the number one team logo in the NHL.

5. Seattle Seahawks

The hawk’s head in this sports logo is stylized to resemble tribal art from the Native American tribes that traditionally occupied the Seattle area. The bird is aerodynamically shaped and quite fierce looking, making it both an attractive logo and a formidable opponent at the same time. In fact, although sea hawks are not particularly frightening, the Seahawk logo may be the most threatening figure in this logo design gallery.

6. San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs win a place in this logo design gallery for ingeniously incorporating their mascot into their name. The team name is written in a bold font with shadowing to give a 3-D illusion. The ‘U’ of the logo is transformed into a spur, seamlessly integrating the logo and its graphic. Moreover, the shape behind the team name has a shape that is reminiscent of Southwestern designs, incorporating a little local flair.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks’ logo features an ‘A’ for Arizona, with a snake-like diamond pattern on the left side. However, if you look closely, the negative space inside of the ‘A’ combined with the top of the ‘m’ in Diamondbacks combines to create a baseball diamond-like shape. Also, the ‘A’ and ‘K’ in backs have extended legs to suggest the fangs for which this famous snake is most feared.

8. Chicago Cubs

This logo is so old that few people even bother to think about it, but its age and success make it one of the most recognizable team logos in pro baseball, certainly earning a place in any sports logo design gallery. This logo is dominated by a large C that is in a circular shape, creating a feeling of inclusion that so many fans enjoy. The rest of the word is inside the ‘C’, completing this effect. A blue circle surrounds the word, making for a patriotic red, white, and blue color scheme that is perfect for an all-American sport like baseball.

9. Manchester United

Many soccer teams originally used a crest as a soccer logo, and this team is no exception. While this team’s success might be due to great players and immense local support, the logo likely helps. The chevron on the crest is a bold figure, while the soccer ball on either side of the crest assures viewers of which sport the team plays. The red and gold colors are bold and very common in this sport.

10. Ladies Professional Golf Association

There was a time when the Ladies Professional Golf Association had a boring logo and a similarly lackluster image, but both of these belong in the past. Golf is now one of the most popular sports in the world, and LPGA logo has been redesigned to reflect this. The new logo includes the golfing woman seen in the former logos, but in a bold new color palette. The woman is also featured in a more powerful position, at the end of a swing. This represents the bolder, more powerful image the organization is trying to portray.

As you can see, a sports logo can be a crucial part of a team, more important than any given player or even the coach. The logo represents not just the team and its mascot design, but the team’s image, strength, and even their logo design history. The best logos incorporate the name and graphic seamlessly in an eye-catching and memorable logo icon way. However, sports teams are not the only organizations that need a logo. On the contrary, a professional logo can provide group identity and a winning team spirit for any group.

Then and Now: 10 Different Olympics Logos and Why They Worked for Their Time

Once a mere sporting contest, the Olympic Games are now a major event that receives worldwide attention and coverage. Each set of games have their own location, traditions, and a professional sports logo. While there is a new Olympic logo every four years, some are more compelling and visually stimulating than others. Whether it is due to a multi-meaning graphic, visual appeal, or an especially appropriate color choice, these ten Olympic logos are clear winners for capturing the spirit of their host countries and the essence of their times.

1. Lake Placid 1932 Olympics Logo

The professional logo for the winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, NY is a clear winner because it incorporates several symbols into one simple logo. First, the picture of the skier appears to have two mountains in the background, but if you look closer the space between the two mountains forms the shape of the continental United States. The blue of the mountains is carefully selected so it can also look like ocean, depending on how you are viewing the picture.

2. Oslo 1952 Olympics Logo

The Oslo Olympics were the first winter games to be held in the capitol city of a nation. As such, the New Oslo Town Hall is a good choice for the center of the professional logo design. The building’s unadorned exterior was an excellent example of modern, Scandinavian style at the time, and it creates a symmetrical image with the Olympic rings in the foreground.

3. Mexico 1968 Olympics Logo

The professional logo for the 1968 Summer Games features a style seen in the art of native Latin American art with layered lines. The lines spell out ‘Mexico’ and ‘68’ with the Olympic rings woven in. The rings fit into the design beautifully, but are noticeable due to the fact that they are the only color in the logo. This logo is an apt representation of the only Latin American country to host an Olympic Games.

4. Munich 1972 Olympics Logo

In 1972, Germany was a newly democratic nation looking forward to a brighter future. As such, the professional logo for the 1972 Olympic Games in this city is a stylized sun. The sun’s rays are slightly distorted by a spiral, which gives the feeling of the rays coming out at the viewer. The logo is in a circle shape, which ties in to the Olympic rings.

5. Moscow 1980 Olympics Logo

The stakes were high for the USSR in the Moscow Olympic Games. The socialist country was being recognized as a legitimate entity by the majority of the international sports community. However, the professional logo was by no means a compromise with the many countries who protested these games. The red color is suggestive of the red color used in the flags of communist countries, while the star above a stylized Kremlin represents a very communist Russia reaching toward excellence.

6. Los Angeles 1984 Olympics Logo

In 1984, the Olympics returned to the United States following the nation’s boycott of the preceding Olympic Games in Moscow. In response to the proud Soviet Olympic logo of the 1980 games, the United States developed a distinctly American logo for the 1984 Olympic Games. The three stars are reminiscent of the stars on the American flag, and they are in the same red, white, and blue color scheme as well. The stars are interlocked in a way that mimics the overlapping Olympic rings.

7. Lillehammer 1994 Olympics Logo

This Olympic logo incorporates two symbols widely associated with winter in Norway, the Aurora Borealis and snow crystals. The northern lights are stylized, while the snow crystals break away from the bottom of the graphic. A sky blue makes up the background. The result is a stylish image that perfectly represents these Olympic Games in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

8. Athens 2004 Olympics Logo

2004 was the first time in over a century that the Olympic Games were held in the land of their origin, Greece. This special occasion required a special logo. The professional logo has a watercolor background representing the oceans of this seafaring nation, in the exact same color blue used in the Greek flag. The wreath of olives represents the traditional prize given to Olympic winners, but the graphic is stylized to give it a modern edge.

9. Beijing 2008 Olympics Logo

The professional logo for the Olympic Games in 2008 is a clear winner because of how it is tied to its host city. The dancing figure in the logo is actually a stylized representation of the word ‘jing’, which means capital in Chinese and is the second word of the city’s name. It suggests that the city is alive and playful, which is exactly the image that China wanted to send. The shade of red used in the logo is the exact same as the Chinese flag. The font of the city’s name and year are below the graphic in a readable but distinctly Asian font. These games united East and West, and the logo shows that clearly.

10. London 2012 Olympics Logo

Does London’s 2012 Olympic logo deserve a place in this list? You decide. This controversial logo has been protested for its untraditionally bright color palette and its slight resemblance to a swastika, as well as the claim that some people see an inappropriate sexual figure in the shapes and has been deemed by many to be a logo disaster. The logo features the block numbers ‘2012’ with highlighter yellow shadowing. The professional logo is meant to appeal to the young people of Great Britain, and its success or lack thereof will be seen in coming years. Meanwhile, it has instigated more discussion than any logo in Olympic logo design history.

What makes an Olympic logo a winner—or any logo at all for that matter? As you can see, visual harmony is only one piece of the puzzle. A professional logo design must tie into the organization it represents (in this case, the nation hosting the games) while remaining appealing to its audience. The quality of any particular logo may not determine the success of the games, but it serves as the face of the millions of people who organize, participate in, and pay to visit this international event. The Olympics aim to bring the world together in a spirit of healthy competition, and the logo is the overarching symbol of this spirit.

The Anaheim Piranhas were a professional arena football team that played in the Arena Football League in Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California till 1997. The team was started out as the Las Vegas Sting, before to moving to Anaheim in 1996 and changing its name.

The Anaheim Piranhas sports logo design is a simple iconic logo that depicts a piranha aggressively eating it’s way through the word Piranhas. There is bits and pieces of the name floating around and a couple of action lines give some movement to the logo. The piranha itself is quite toothy in a simple way and yet very aggressive.

I like this logo because of the simplicity and the line art of the fishing logo icon, even though I must say I am not too sure of the colors.

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Older than the Modern Olympics by about 45 years, The America’s Cup is the most prestigious regatta and match race in the sport of sailing. The regatta race is between two yachts – the winner of the Challenger Series (a race to select the challenger) and the current cup holder. If the challenger wins the cup then it is transferred defender’s yacht club to the winning team’s yacht club.

The America’s sports logo design is a simple iconic logo that shows the silhouette of the America’s Cup cut out of the background of two sails. The negative and positive space usage is quite nice and the icon of the cup itself is quite stunning.

I would have perhaps preferred a bit more traditional font used for the name America’s Cup. The silhouette of the cup also looks like an Arabic decanter. There is a diamond shaped bit on the top of the cup which is a different color. The significance of the color eludes me. Here is an image of the America’s Cup.

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Montreal is synonymous with football. The first part in North American soil took place on the cricket pitches of downtown October 10, 1868. Four years later, the Football Club of Montreal and was created in 1946, the Alouettes were founded. The composition of the team reached the brilliant idea of the businessman Leo Dandurand Montreal, who convinced Lew Heyman becoming the first head coach of the team.

The Montreal Alouettes won a Cup Gray in 1949 and played in three finals from 1954 to 1956. The joys of the team are then evaporated and the team failed to post a winning record before 1970, the first of three years where Sam Etcheverry has been at the helm of the team. In 2002, the Alouettes finished the regular season with a record of 13-5 and then crushed the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Eskimos in the playoffs to win the fifth Gray Cup franchise. The ingredients for success were assembled. The Alouettes are again the best team in the CFL in the field and in the community.

The Alouettes sports logo design is a complex mascot design of an “alouette”- a skylark, a small type of bird rushing forward with a football in one wing enclosed by a circle and the team name Montreal Alouettes surrounding the design. I really like this design. The mascot character has been drawn out nicely and the colors are quite cool too.

When creating sport logos, especially if they mascot design samples, this kind of bold style with a bold character, bold border and bold font treatment is usually the best route.

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The Anaheim Bullfrogs were a professional inline hockey team based in Anaheim, California. Playing in Roller Hockey International (1993-1997) and Major League Roller Hockey (1998) before returning to Roller Hockey international (1999), the Bullfrogs played their home games in the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

The Anaheim sports logo design is a complex illustrative logo incorporating a mascot character design of a bull frog dressed in hockey player garb and a crown on it’s head. The frog is on inline roller skates and wields a hockey bat in one hand while the other hand is clenched into a fist. The frog character’s face is twisted into an aggressive scowl. The frog character is quite muscular and the overall logo has an aggressive attitude.

I like this mascot character logo. The illustration is quite nice and the attitude and message is conveyed quite well. I also like the way it has been used on the hockey banners, hockey stadium, the player outfits etc.

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Adanaspor is the football team in Adana, one of the biggest cities in Turkey. The football club was founded in 1954 and the first colors were navy and yellow. The football club converted their football logo colors to orange and white in 1966. Orange representing citrus and white representing cotton for which Adana was quite famous for. The club has played in several national league matches and had a very strong position back in the 80s. They are now placed 8th in the Bank Asya First League in 2008-2009 season.

The Adanaspor soccer logo is a simple illustrative logo that combines shows an icon of a cotton bud enclosed by a shield. On the top of the shield icon is the name “Adanaspor” and the words 1954/1964 etc and the Turkish city name Adana. It is a little different from the various sports logos that we have created in the past for our customers.

The cotton bud represents the cotton produce that Adana is famous for. The football logo colors which are also the team colors are Orange and White with a hint of black for the base of the cotton bud. I like this logo because of the simplicity, the warm colors and the simple icon in the middle. It could have been updated over the years to give it a little more punch.

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In 1989, Nike launched the ACG (All Conditions Gear) division targeting the outdoor market. Working with a team of athletes and mountain guides, Nike designed the collection to appeal to everyday athletes who depend on their gear to handle the challenges of trail and stream. The designers continue producing cutting edge styling and performance in innovative apparel. Utilizing their R&D department to best effect, they continue to produce styles that offer the very latest technology in super limited quantities.

The ACG sports logo design is a simple iconic logo that combines the Nike icon (the swoosh) and two triangles facing side wise. The two triangles look like an abstract representation of human lungs. Perhaps this is to show the core of endurance and the strength needed to navigate the outdoor adventures.

I like this logo because of the simplicity, the warm color and the integration of the Nike core logo.

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In the previous article ‘Role of Sports Logo Design’, the first of the series of articles on Sports Logo Designs, we have seen how and why companies – giant and dwarf alike – sponsor sports as a part of their publicity strategy. In this article, we are going see how and why companies sponsor basketball games.

Basketball is a relatively a new game invented by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education professor, in 1891. Some sports experts come up with another version that says this ball game had been known and had enjoyed considerable popularity for fifty years prior to Dr. Naismith’s invention!

However, there is yet another group of sports experts who relate this modern basketball game to a peculiar game played by ancient Aztecs in central Mexico in Central America centuries ago. The story goes like this:

“The Aztec Ball Game [taken from www.herloyalsons.com] One of the most popular Aztec games was Tlachtli. In this game, two teams played on a field shaped like an H between two walls. The field was divided in half and each team had its own part. The goal of the game was to get an 8-10 pound rubber ball to the other team’s side. To add to the challenge, only the hips and the feet could be used to move the ball. A stone ring was located at each side of the field. The first team to pass the ball through the stone ring of the other team was the winner of this game. Since this was one of the roughest of the Aztec sports, players wore leather belts in order to protect themselves from being hurt.”

Whatever be the origin of this game, according to Wikipedia, this game is (has become) one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world. And there are several international organizations promoting, conducting and regulating this game throughout the world, keeping the decency, dignity and popularity intact with rigid rules and regulations and continuous seasonal playoffs! Some of the most recognized and popular basketball organizations are: FIBA – The International Basketball Federation – (but known more commonly by the acronym), with over 51 national affiliated federations in Europe, is the world governing body for basketball; USAB – the USA Basketball – is the governing body for basketball in the States; NBA – National Basketball Association – the most famous men’s professional basketball league in the world, having been broadcast in 210 countries, is the officially recognized league by FIBA; England Basketball is the recognized organization; BBL – the British Basketball League, another of the several leagues; and, of course, most countries have federations of their own.

The FIBA, with its motto “We Are Basketball”, has several Corporate giants, such as bwin, champion, molten, mondo, Nokia, sinalco, tissot, zepter, as its Global Partners, sponsoring championships world over. And each of these organizations, leagues, federations, associations and teams has a basketball logo design of its own; we can see some of the most colorful and interesting logo designs here:

The following are the lively logos of the most popular sponsors of the basketball games:

After having a look at all these fantastic brand names and logo designs, some of us, mostly those who are not very familiar with this sport, are bound to wonder ‘Oh. Does this game enjoy so much popularity!’ and the answer is a big ‘YES’. A quick look at some of the statistics show us the enormous influence the game and the players have on the sports enthusiasts world over!

“In general, basketball players earn millions of dollars. The better players like Lebron James and Dwyane Wade will earn around $25 million a year, average players like Brad Miller will earn around $10 million a year, and rookies will earn from $800,000 a year to $2 million a year. Earnings vary widely. The top players can get millions, especially after adding in their endorsement deals. According to Forbes, in 2004 Michael Jordan made 35 million dollars; Shaquille O’Neal made 31.9 million; Kevin Garnett made 29.7; Kobe Bryant made 26.1; Grant Hill made 25.9; and LeBron James brought in 21.1.”

The most important prerequisite any game needs in order to attract potential sponsors is the viewership rate of that game. The following news items demonstrate what a crowd-puller the basketball game is:

Thursday, January 15, 2009
NBA viewership up double-digits on ESPN.
So far this season, ESPN has seen a solid bump in its NBA ratings. NBA games on ESPN are averaging a 1.2 U.S. rating (1.4 cable rating) and 1.7 million viewers, up 9% and 21% from a 1.1 (1.2 cable) and 1.4 million viewers through the same point last season. Last Friday’s Celtics/Cavaliers game drew 2.6 million viewers on ESPN, making it the second-most viewed NBA game of the season on the network.

Game 7 of Bulls-Celtics breaks viewership record Posted May 5 2009 11:27PM
ATLANTA (AP) — Game 7 of the Bulls-Celtics series has supplanted Game 6 as the most-watched first-round NBA playoff game ever on cable. TNT says Boston’s 109-99 win Saturday to end the exhilarating series was seen by 6.99 million people. That was the most viewers for a first-round game on broadcast or cable since the 2004 Lakers-Rockets Game 4 on ABC.The Bulls’ 128-127 triple-overtime victory in Game 6 on Thursday was seen by 5.35 million people. TV viewers went for NBA Finals in big numbers: “… Overall, the series drew 9.3% of U.S. households. That’s up 51% over last year’s Cleveland-San Antonio series, which was the lowest-rated Finals ever at 6.2. …”

More viewers watch NBA finals, Tony Awards…
“…The Lakers’ 101-96 overtime victory over the Magic in Game 2 Sunday averaged 14.06 million viewers, 4 percent more than watched the Celtics’ 108-102 Game 2 victory last year. Through two games, the finals are averaging 13.55 million viewers, 1 percent more than last year’s 13.44 million average.
CBS’ coverage of Sunday’s Tony Awards continued the trend of rising viewership for awards shows, averaging 7.43 million viewers, 15 percent more than the 6.27 million last year’s ceremony averaged. Viewership had also increased for ABC’s coverage of the Academy Awards, and CBS’ coverage of the Grammy Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards earlier this year. …”

When there are so many viewers watching this sport, naturally there are big anglers trying for huge hauls. The following postings in some websites give us some idea about the demand there is for the basketball league matches:

from SPORTBUSINESS.COM

MOLTEN SECURES SPONSORSHIP OF BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Under the deal, Molten’s new and distinctive, 12-panel G-Series basketball will become the exclusive and official BBL league and club ball. Valued at £150,000, the sponsorship package, which commences this month (September 2006), includes a supply of the Molten G-Series basketball and other Molten products as well as cash, which is to be directly invested by BBL in a scheme to develop basketball in the clubs’ communities.

From Allbusiness.com… Dell Nets College Basketball Tourney Sponsorship
“… The Dell Classic for Kids features Texas vs. Stanford and Notre Dame vs. DePaul. The games will be carried on ESPN. Some of the proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said Scott Helbing, Dell’s vice president of global brand strategy, who added that Dell joined on as a sponsor when another corporate backer pulled out.??”This is an excellent opportunity to reach customers, said Helbing. “It was an easy decision, knowing Texas is playing in it, and [that] the other three are all real good programs.??”Our antennae are always up for sporting events. Our target in branding is executives. This is a great avenue to reach them,” he said. …”

A casual visit to the site http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bw/2009-05/18/content_7785352.htm will enlighten us as to how this game is catching up and what business potential it has in Asian countries, especially in China!

And naturally, when so much is going on in this sports business arena, there is bound to be some envy, some bending the rules, some business rivalry, etc. For example:

A Massachusetts sportswear company has sued Nike and the U.S. basketball hall of fame, claiming breach of contract and fraud related to the manufacture and sale of sportswear linked to Michael Jordan’s upcoming induction into the hall.? SportsFuzion Inc filed the lawsuit in Massachusetts state court late on Monday and is seeking more than $10 million (6 million pounds) in general and punitive damages from Nike and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.?A Nike spokesman said company officials were reviewing the complaint, but believe it is without merit. Officials with the Hall of Fame could not be reached for comment.?The Millis, Massachusetts-based SportsFuzion said in court documents filed in the Norfolk Superior Court that in March 2006 it signed a contract with the Hall of Fame giving it exclusive worldwide rights to the organization’s trade names, logos, logo trademarks, designs and photos for use in sportswear through 2012 or later considering renewal rights.?The lawsuit also charges Nike with interfering with a contract and charges both parties with unfair and deceptive trade practices.?Jordan, considered one of the greatest players in the history of the National Basketball Association, as well as a popular marketer whose image drives sales for sneakers and other sportswear bearing his name, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in September.

And at Log Design Works, an international small business logo and website designers, one can see a number of sports logos which not only satisfied their clients but also amused their clients’ customers! For samples of marvelous sports logo designs, you are welcome to visit www.logodesignworks.com!!

Finally, here is a beautiful young sportsperson showing off her sponsors’ brand names and logos on her jacket. Hoping that you have enjoyed this article as much as you enjoy the game, I look forward to seeing you at my next posting on ‘Golf — Role of Basketball Logo Design’ at Logo Design Works.

Sport Logos related discussion.

Have you ever wondered why every business establishment spends millions of dollars in sponsoring one or the other sport or game? You probably not!  Every major or minor company, whether it be a manufacturer of a consumer product or a service provider, inevitably supports a sports team mascot or club, a mere local, state level, national level or international level team or club, depending on its financial stand!

According to www.livemint.com, sports sponsorship is on the most buoyant areas of marketing in recent years.  The autos (motor car manufacturers) and financial services (banks, insurance companies, etc.) are the two of the biggest sectors of financial support for sport, spending millions of dollars on the sports events they sponsor.

Baden sports is encouraging the public to participate in a donation drive – for every $20 donated by the public, Baden, a leading sports ball makers, will provide five balls to the US Army Service who will give the balls to the serviceman and women to hand out in Iraqi neighborhoods and villages.  According to Baden’s CEO, Mr Michael J. Schindler, “Iraqi kids love soccer and US soldiers love giving out the balls.  It is one of those little things that might end up making a big difference!”

Why? And what ‘big difference’ does this act of ‘sponsoring sports’ make?

As an advertisement says (sorry, I don’t remember the site owner’s name) ‘We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities’.  And ‘strong communities’ make a strong nation! Sport and game events came into existence as physical exercises to build strong youth that eventually participated in battles.

Almost all the sports and games were based on the survival and fighting needs.  It was realized long ago that giving rigorous military training to those soldiers recruited just before a war began, it would be better to have a tough, strong young generation with great endurance.  And so the sports and games became a part of life at teen-ages and continued up to the age when the new generation took up their positions in the society.  Naturally such an endeavor needed an efficient planning, skilled organizers, and above all, a continuous supply of money, some stable patronage.  Who could have organized it better other than the rulers who actually needed a strong and loyal youth to defend their country and the regal more than anybody else!

Though the shape of war and battles and the methods of actual fighting have changed over the years due to the developments in the field of weaponry (using guns and bombs in place of swords and bow and arrows), the physical exercises in the name of sports and games have stayed alive with the people.  The survival techniques which saved the lives of soldiers have become popular entertainment activities.  The once blood-chilling war dances and war cries that inspired home soldiers and frightened enemy soldiers have become novel entertaining shows for the amusement of the ever-growing tourists!  People liked to watch their young exhibiting their skills in warfare in those days; and people like to watch their home teams show their utmost skills and winning spirit in the competitions these days!!

However, the fundamental purpose of these activities have hardly changed: ‘winning and losing’ is still there; as the rulers of the yesteryear based their political strategies on the strength of their armies, so are the business monarchs of the present era basing their business strategies on the talent of the teams they sponsor!!!

In other words, to promote a product, the producer needs to make it known to as many people as possible – the more the people are attracted to the product, the more the product sells, and the more the product sells, the more profit the producer gets.  After all, the logic behind selling a product is to get profit.

How do sports make it possible?

It is a fact that The Kentucky Fried Chicken’s sponsorship of Twenty20 cricket has helped it to rise from 73rd position to 18th position in the list of marketing and Speedo’s association with the Beijing Olympics helped it to move from 17th to 6th position.

According to Articlesbase.com, a free online Articles Directory, ‘this industry (sports industry) has a large turnover, a complex infrastructure and an influence on many people’s lives via media and participation.  To completely understand the nature of the sports industry, one must know that it is composed of different components.’  So it is obvious that sports business industry has certain influence on the lives of general public.

NFL is so popular that the logos of the teams are seen everywhere: on billiard tables, balls and clocks, bar tables and  stools, dart boards, on pub light ‘shades’, beer jugs, coffee cups, …

Let’s look into the popularity of the NFL, National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the world: 42% of Americans consider some level football their sport; the total percentage of Americans who liked or loved NFL football exceeds 60% of the American public; the NFL has the highest per-game attendance of any domestic professional sports league in the world, drawing over 67,000 spectators per game. You can see football logos and soccer logos every where.

A moderate stadium has a capacity of 80 to 100 thousand spectators, and an international match of a popular game draws millions of people when broadcast on TV; and the newspapers, magazines and radio help to draw some considerable number of viewership. Therefore, it is quite obvious that a company selling breakfast cereals or an industry making a million-dollar posh motor vehicle is given a wide and grand publicity, viewers from every walk of life watch it over and over, once the company’s brand name and the logo are in any one corner of the stadium or the TV screen.

As a marketing expert, Tyrone Polastri, in his article ‘Main event marketing: corporations sponsor sports …’, put it “The dollar value a corporation can realize from event sponsorship is particularly difficult to evaluate in the intangible area of public relations, goodwill, image and brand awareness. However, one simple rule that is generally used by the trade is the 10 to 1 rule–for every $1,000 spent, a sponsor is looking to generate $10,000 worth of publicity. Sponsors feel this 10:1 media conversion is a cost-effective value, particularly when taking into account what a $100,000 30-second television ad buys them in comparison to a $100,000 event sponsorship.”

So, sponsoring a sport even certainly makes sense.

After watching sports for a considerable period, people get to like a particular team or a particular player, and when the team or the player is shown using a soft drink of a particular brand, the public in general and the sports enthusiasts in particular, attach themselves to that brand of soft drink, and being an official drink at a major international sports event is not only a status symbol but also an important step-up in the company’s marketing.

Now to the main point of showing a sponsor’s brand name and the logo.  Though the stadium where the sports events take place may be very large, the largest with the capacity of 150,000 spectators, the sponsor is given a small spot to advertise the brand, because the main event in a sports stadium is not the trade fair, like it is at an international expo where the products are on display.  The spectators gather there to watch their favourite teams or player(s) fight with one another for the top place.  So the sponsors have to make do with the limited space they are allotted.  A banner measuring 2 feet by10 feet or a poster of the same size kept beside the score board has to represent the entire company including the product(s).

How to make a good impression on the minds of the crowds who are most of the time overwhelmed by the ecstasy or great disappointment depending on their team’s performance?

The best way is to have a short but effective brand name and a clean and clear logo.

Some popular sports persons with the sponsors’ brand names and logos on their clothes

In some games the players are free to wear the brand names and the logos of their sponsors on their uniforms, but in some either the players do not like to wear them or the regulations of some sports clubs do not allow their players to wear them.

Slazenger products

Marlboro’s, a cigarette manufacturer, brand name on the F1 racing car

Visa credit card brand name and logo, and Nike logo on the side walls of the track. This photograph demonstrates how a short brand name and a simple and clear logo can be used at track and field events. This finish line picture is very valued because several sports enthusiasts marvel at this clear shot, and so it is shown on TV, internet, and is published in print media. Wherever and whenever you see this picture, you see the visa and Nike brands as well!

It is quite evident that sports business industry is a major entertainer to the public and a great platform for the business establishments.  What a prospecting company needs is a long term marketing strategy and a strong team of a chosen sport.

The effectiveness of the whole operation depends on the brand name and logo of the company, and so, a wise company makes a wise choice in choosing a competent logo designer who can create a logo that is deserves attention! At Logo Design Works, an international logo and web designers, for small and medium businesses, logos are not just designed; they are created, created with wisdom, vision and purpose!

For Some samples of excellent logos from Logo Design Words please visit sport logos page.

In our next article which is to be posted soon, we will be discussing the various teams and their logos of ball games – football, soccer, basket ball, base ball, et.  Until then bye!

The Chicago Marathon has been one of the world’s most prestigious marathon road races since it started 30 years ago.

This year, October 12, 2008 to be precise, it will don a new name and a new logo design heavily influenced by its main sponsor, Bank of America.

It’s very obvious that Bank of America wants to milk its investments in this much awaited event. For one, the official name now is Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Moreover, the new logo design features a bigger text size for the bank’s name compared to name of the event. Unlike in the old logo, the event is the center of attention.

Moreover, the familiar image of a male and a female runner is retained but the shade of green is edited so it will no longer reflect the brand identity of LaSalle Bank, the former sponsor which was recently acquired by Bank of America. To ensure total domination of this logo, the financial institution also added its very recognizable red, white and blue flagscape.

Judging how it controlled the logo, I would not be surprised if one day the name of this event will change to Bank of America Marathon.

Read [Press Release]

There is a new franchise in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and it is the Atlanta Dream. Along its new name comes a new logo design featuring red, white and sky blue color scheme.

The name is quite refreshing for the major pro sport franchises in Atlanta are named after birds such as Hawks, Falcons and Thrashers.

The sports logo shows the text “Atlanta” spelled in red capital letters. Directly below the city’s red text is the word “Dream” in sky blue color shadowed with colors red and white. You might notice there are 3 little sky blue stars and a big one on the letter “A” in the word Dream. Very visible is the basketball “propelled out of the star”. It is reminds me of the Xbox and Xerox’s brand new logo design.

It is no coincidence that this new WNBA team is launched after the annual holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Perhaps the name Dream is inspired by his “I Have a Dream” speech. In fact, team owner Ron Terwilliger relates its connection to the great civil rights leader.

“Atlanta is a city of dreamers and this week we have had time to reflect on what it means to dream and what can happen when you do. Little girls, like little boys, imagine playing in front of cheering crowds and achieving success in professional sports leagues. We believe Dream best captures Atlanta’s spirit and the core values of the WNBA. We look forward to the Atlanta Dream continuing to make history as we work toward our goal of transcending sports,” said Terwilliger in a press release.

Here’s another great reason why you need a mascot for your business – create future customers!

According to Forbes.com, the role of a mascot has evolved from a mere gimmick to being an important tool in grabbing new fans at early ages and establishing a friendly image to the community.

In a research conducted by The Marketing Arm to find out the leading sports mascots, they used the Davie-Brown Index – a measure commonly used to know how a celebrity can influence brand identity based on different attributes such as awareness, appeal, influence, endorsement and trust.

Phillie Phanatic, the 300-pound bright green mascot of Major League Baseball team Philadelphia Phillies, emerged the most popular. Here are the the top 10 sports mascots:

1. Phillie Phanatic
2. San Diego Chicken (San Diego Padres)
3. Mr. Met (New York Mets)
4. Racing Sausages (Milwaukee Brewers)
5. Benny the Bull (Chicago Bulls)
6. Rally Monkey (Los Angeles Angels)
7. Sourdough Sam (San Francisco 49ers)
8. Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys)
9. Rally (Atlanta Braves)
10. Miles (Denver Broncos)

And what type of mascot design do you exactly need? It is all about being cute, warm and fuzzy these days. Fierce-looking characters and heavily painted Indians carrying tomahawks are no longer in.

If it is appealing to youngsters then you’re on the right track. These children do not care about these games and players. Bring in a lovable mascot and you will immediately grab their fickle attention.

Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the new and the highest pro soccer league which will kick off in the spring of 2009. Today, it has unveiled its official logo as well as its official Website.

The focal point of this brand new soccer league logo design is the silhouette of no less than the Olympic Gold medalist and FIFA World Cup champion player Mia Hamm. It uses the color scheme combining gold, red and deep navy.

“A long and careful process led to the selection of Women’s Professional Soccer and the subsequent WPS acronym. The league and team owners reviewed countless variations of league names and logos and conducted numerous focus groups before ultimately deciding on a brand identity that we strongly believe will resonate with fans for years to come,” said Tonya Antonucci, WPS commissioner, in a press release.

Of course, its official Website www.womensprosoccer.com serves as the information center for everything related to WPS such as league info, team and player profiles, events, behind-the-scenes videos and portal for online fans.

The league is comprised of 7 different teams located in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington D.C

A small soccer team in Italy has an offbeat and very desperate way of boosting the fighting spirit of its team. According to The Washington Times, a team from Carioca amateur league has enhanced its uniform by adding the logo design of Hezbollah, a leading Islamic fundamentalist group in Lebanon responsible for more than 200 attacks since the early 80s.

Translated in English as “Party of God”, this logo features a green clenched fist holding a rifle gun. Criticized heavily by conservative groups, the team defended this decision was not politically motivated but an absurd tactic to frighten the competing teams.

Notorious for changing its name very often, the team is now called “Zassbollah”, a combination of Hezbollah and surname of its team captain Luigi Zasso. A certain Davide Volponi defends this decision:

The idea to name the team “Zassbollah” came from the situation in Lebanon. We chose this name not as an expression of any political position, but because we were influenced by the strong fighting spirit, and by the spirit of resistance. Therefore, this is not a political matter, because we observe things from afar, but on the field, we must put up resistance and fight the opponents.

Regardless of their reasons, I do not think we should condone the use of such logos for it misleads people, particularly the youth, that idolizing extremist groups is alright. Perhaps a little creativity and a bit of research are enough to find a more appropriate symbol on soccer uniforms.

via Gateway Pundit

This year marks the implementation of the redesigned National Football League (NFL) logo unveiled last August 2007. It will be the first logo makeover implemented by the league since 1980. Looking back, the decision to alter the infamous “NFL Shield” is to create a meaner and leaner version.

Very obvious changes are seen on the color used (darker), the number of stars and the image of the football. You might notice the alterations are not really radical but more of improvements. Each modification carries some meaning.

For instance, the number of stars was reduced from 25 to only 8 to represent the 8 AFC and NFC divisions. However, the reason for using 25 stars on the logo remains a mystery. Even the new designer failed to trace its origin since it was first used in the early 40s. Also, the football located at the center of the logo is adjusted to look a lot like the football on top of Vince Lombardi championship trophy.

While these changes are rather simple, its implementation is quite expensive and extensive. Every NFL uniform must be changed to reflect the new design. Even the staff within the stadium must also put on the new symbol.

The new logo will make its debut in April 2008 during the NFL draft.

Via Tom McMahon

Disclaimer: The logo used is for reference only. Hence, copyright belongs to the respective owners. If you are the owner and wish to have the image removed from this post, please send an e-mail to remove-logo@logodesignworks.com.

Shea Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in New York City and known as the longtime home of Major League Baseball team the New York Mets. In 2008, it will finally say goodbye after 45 years to pave way for a new stadium named Citi Field.

To celebrate the final year of this historical stadium, the New York Mets has unveiled a commemorative logo to signify the league’s 45-season history.

It made some alterations in the current Mets logo design by adding a side-by-side rendering of Shea Stadium’s current and original exterior set against a backdrop of the New York City skyline.

This new logo will be worn by the New York Mets as a patch on the right sleeve for all home games in 2008. This creative logo design will also appear on other promotional materials like schedules, Mets Media Guide, Mets Magazine, Yearbook, and tickets.

Opened in 1964, this famous Shea Stadium not only served as home to both baseball and football teams the Mets and the Jets. It also hosted several memorable events like concerts of the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones, and Simon & Garfunkel.

If you’re a big fan of any sports like basketball, baseball, football or soccer, why don’t you build a business around it? Your passion will be a major motivating factor but can also be your very weakness. Make sure you scan the market first before investing. Here are some of the business ideas you can build around your favorite sports:

Sports camp

Every summer many parents enroll their children in different sports camps or clinics to enhance their skills and boost self-confidence. Minimum startup cost is about $10,000 to pay for accommodations, equipment, marketing campaign, salary, and a possible endorsement by a local sports celebrity in your town or city.

Designing and Printing Team Uniforms

If you pay particular attention to team uniforms instead of the actual game, why not start selling and designing uniforms to different teams in schools or companies. You can pattern the logos on your favorite teams and subcontract the actual printing on the clothes if you are afraid to invest initially. Minimum cash outlay is about $2,000.

Sports Coaching

Some play on the field while others with their minds. If you have experience as a coach of any sports, it is feasible to offer a one-on-one service both to starting athletes and aspiring coaches. You can also run monthly seminars if you prefer dealing with many clients.

Even if your business is not connected with sports, sponsoring sports activities can help increase awareness about your company and possibly reap additional revenues.