From Nike to Adidas: The 10 best sports logos of all time

What makes a good brand? An outstanding logo is undoubtedly one of the markers of a good brand, and the best sports logos are proof of this fact. What do you love about your favourite sports company? Keep scrolling to discover the exemplary symbols that represent the most popular sports brands and companies.

What makes a good sports logo? The symbol represented by the brand must be memorable and able to tell the organization's story in one image. Additionally, it should represent the values and culture of the brand. Here are some of the world's best sports logos.

Best sports logos

Some company logos have stood the test of time, remaining relevant and iconic over the years. Other organizations have rebranded, launching remarkable symbols that resonate with audiences globally. Check out the top ten best sports logos and the stories behind them:

10. San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks is an ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, USA. The team has one of the best sports brand logos, featuring a teal shark emerging from a triangle and biting a hockey stick in half. Created in 1991, the creation represents the team's strength and character.

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9. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers' logo is among the best sports logos to draw. The symbol is a golden basketball with the words ''Los Angeles'' sitting above it and 'Lakers' across the ball in purple. The Los Angeles Lakers logo was first designed in 1961 and has gone through numerous colour revisions but kept the original look.

8. Dallas Cowboys

Netizens have asked, ''Which sports logo is most iconic?'' The Dallas Cowboys, also known as America's team, have an awesome logo, which some have described as the most iconic, mainly due to its simplicity.

The team's original logo, used between 1960 and 1963, was an identical blue star without a border. The symbol was a tribute to Texas. Jack Eskridge re-designed the logo in 1959, adding the edge and giving it a more 3D look.

7. Premier League

One of the best sports logos of all time is the Premier League logo. The original version was created in 1992 and underwent several modifications before being remade in 2016 by DesignStudios and Robin Brand Consultants. The lion, which features on the logo, symbolizes strength, courage, and power, representing the league accurately.

6. Chicago Bulls

The angry red bull is one of the best sports logos in 2023. The logo was created in 1966 by the late Dean Wessel, a cartoonist and design artist. The bull symbolizes strength, ferocity, irresistibility, and a constant readiness for a massive attack.

Since its inception, the Chicago Bulls logo has never been altered. The team was home to the basketball legend Michael Jordan since 1984. He played in 15 seasons, winning six NBA championships.

5. New York Yankees

The letters 'N' and 'Y' interlock makes for a masterpiece, and one of the best retro sports logos. The initial idea behind this creation, according to Bull Devery, a Yankees co-owner and former police chief, was to honour a fallen officer, John McDowell.

Years later, he suggested that the symbol represents team unity, which led the organization to adopt the logo in 1905. The logo has represented the Yankees over the years and has become a distinct fashion statement, appearing in numerous t-shirts and caps.

4. Olympics

The six intertwined rings representing the Olympics have also become a globally recognized symbol. This classic design was created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913. The colours blue, yellow, black, green, and red represent the five world continents, while the six colours represent those on all the world's national flags.

3. Berry College Vikings Baseball

The Berry College baseball team has one of the best college sports logos. The design has blue and silver colours, depicting, ''Where there is a will, there is a way.'' The team is based in Northwest Georgia and is a founding member of the Southern Athletic Association, Division III of the NCAA.

2. Adidas

The first version of the Adidas logo was created by Adolf Dassler in 1949 when the company only dealt with sports shoes. The trefoil was added in 1971 after the brand started selling apparel before the three stripes were added in 1991.

The iconic logo has resonated with fans globally, with many fans rocking the logo in different sporting gear. The symbol represents gear born from sports and built for life, while the three stripes are a trademark for quality products rooted in sports.

1. Nike

The Nike logo is instantly recognizable, alongside the company's tagline ''Just Do It.'' The swoosh symbol was created by Carolyn Davidson, a Portland State University alumnus, in 1971. The simple but exemplary logo symbolizes speed, agility, and positive thinking.

The logo has undergone minimal revisions over time. The distinct swoosh was adopted from the Greek goddess of victory, whose shape is the wing of Nike. Today, several athletes are affiliated with the brand through sponsorships and life partnerships.

The best sports logos have understood the place of memorable branding that connects with their audience over extensive periods. These symbols help to identify the organizations, ultimately increasing their profit margins and affirming their positions in the minds of the consumers.

Sports Bbrief published a list of the most valuable sports brands in the world today. These organizations have become established in specific fields and partnered with athletes to increase their brand value further. Which are some of these companies?

Nike, Adidas, Sky Sports, and Cosco Sports are some leading sports brands today. Boasting annual turnovers of billions of dollars annually, these organizations are a force in the sports sector. Check out the article above for the complete list of the biggest sports brands today.