Best Pro Sports Team Logos of All Time

The best sports logos are works of art.

Best Pro Sports Team Logos of All Time

Sidney Crosby — The Penguins have a classic look.

Picking the best sports logos is somewhat like critiquing a work of art. You just know what you like. Elements that go into judging include aesthetic appeal, familiarity, resonance, fan appreciation, cool factor, clever use of lettering and mascots, and, well, a certain amount of je ne sais quoi.

There were 149 contenders for this competition. The field was limited to the five professional sports leagues that operate out of the United States: the National Football League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, National Basketball League and National Hockey League.

These are the best pro sports team logos, ranked by the year the team was established, from oldest to most recent.

1. Chicago Cubs

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1876

Other names: Cubbies, North Siders, North Side Nine, Boys in Blue, Lovable Losers

Mascot: Clark

Championships: 3 ( 1907, 1908, 2016)

Bottom Line: Chicago Cubs

Sammy Sosa — The Cubs started playing ball in 1876.

Several variations exist, but the premise for the Cubs is simple. It's a really big "C" with "UBS" located inside it.

Until recent World Series success, the Cubbies logos symbolized a loveable loser — but was always highly recognizable.

Their logo remains as nice as ever, but if you're not a Cubs fan, the team may be a little less loveable and more insufferable these days.

2. St. Louis Cardinals

Bird is the word.

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1882

Other names: Cards, Redbirds, Birds, Baseball Cardinals (1960-87)

Mascot: Fredbird

Championships: 11 (1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011)

Bottom Line: St. Louis Cardinals

Colby Rasmus Safe at Third — If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It’s a no-brainer. Birds on a bat.

The team has changed the lettering over the years, but you’d have to be a birdbrain to do anything with the bold red cardinals perched on a yellow baseball bat.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

1939 Brooklyn Dodgers — Dem Bums got style.

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1883 (based in Los Angeles since 1958)

Other names: Blue Crew, Boys in Blue, Bleeding Dodger Blue, Dem Bums

Mascot: None

Championships: 7 (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988, 2020)

Bottom Line: Los Angeles Dodgers

Andre Ethier — It doesn't get much cleaner than Dodger blue.

The design doesn’t get the nod for any aesthetic excellence.

But since 1958, it has incorporated the same "Dodgers script" lettering and is one of the most popular logos in all of sports.

If all else fails, think blue.

4. Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera — A lot of great players have worn that Old English "D."

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1894

Other names: Tiges, Bengals, Motor City Kitties

Mascot: Paws

Championships: 4 (1935, 1945, 1968, 1984)

Bottom Line: Detroit Tigers

Can you dig it?

The Old English "D" script that the Tigers have used since 1922 almost certainly stands on its own.

It definitely moves into the upper echelons via its association with Tom Selleck’s "Magnum P.I." character.

Higgins, don't you agree?

5. Baltimore Orioles

Cal Ripken Sr. with sons Cal Jr. and Billy — This is for the Birds.

Sports: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1901 (based in Baltimore since 1954)

Other names: O's, Birds

Mascot: The Oriole Bird

Championships: 3 (1966, 1970, 1983)

Bottom Line: Baltimore Orioles

Wilson Betemit Snags a Foul — Orange and black are a sharp color combo.

The orange-and-black cartoon bird head had gone away but thankfully returned to the nest.

That smirky look on the bird’s beak harkens back to the glory days of the Orioles when Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell ruled the roost.

It's a new generation of ballplayers, but everyone loves a classic.

6. New York Yankees

Aroldis Chapman — Even if you hate the Yankees, it's hard to knock the pinstripes.

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1901 (based in New York City since 1903)

Other names: Bronx Bombers, Yanks, Pinstripers, Bronx Zoo, Evil Empire, Murderer's Row

Mascot: None

Championships: 27 (1923, 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939,1941,1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009)

Bottom Line: New York Yankees

Yankees Field — If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

King of the hill, top of the heap ... and the rest of Frank Sinatra’s ditty about the Big Apple.

Didja know: The interlocking "NY" was originally designed by Tiffany and Co. as part of a Medal of Valor for a police officer shot in the line of duty.

File that little piece of trivia away for a rainy day wager.

7. Boston Red Sox

Nice Sox.

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1901 (based in Baltimore since 1954)

Other nicknames: Sox, BoSox, Olde Towne Team

Mascot: Wally the Green Monster, Tessie the Green Monster

Championships: 9 (1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2018)

Bottom Line: Boston Red Sox

Can we make them any bigger?

Not that anybody is a fan of dirty laundry, but Boston puts its best foot — or feet — forward with one of the most popular and recognizable logos around.

The "hanging sox" have been around since 1931.

And navy and red is tough to beat.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

Nazem Kadri Celebrates with Fans — This is how you design a logo.

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Established: 1917

Other names: Leafs

Mascot: Carlton the Bear

Championships: 13 (1918, 1922, 1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967)

Bottom Line: Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Fans — It's a privilege, not a right.

It’s not fancy or animated — but there’s no mistaking what we’re looking at.

Based in the land of maple trees that beget the sweet syrup, this Canadian franchise is more than a hundred years old and wisely hasn’t messed much with the logo.

Eh.

9. Los Angeles Rams

Sport: Football (NFL)

Established: 1936 (based in Los Angeles from 1946-94 and since 2016)

Other names: Greatest Show on Turf

Mascot: Rampage

Championships: 3 (1945, 1951, 1999)

Bottom Line: Los Angeles Rams

That was then. This is now.

In 1948, the Rams were the first NFL team to include a logo on their helmets.

A ram’s head has been in the picture wherever the team has been based — Cleveland, St. Louis and Los Angeles.

It's even got to celebrate a championship at the end of a season three times.

10. Boston Celtics

Lucky the Leprechaun on Court — Do you feel Lucky, Leprechaun?

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Established: 1946

Other names: C's, Celts

Mascot: Lucky the Leprechaun

Championships: 17 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008)

Bottom Line: Boston Celtics

Lucky winking through championship banners — Green day.

Everybody recognizes pipe-smoking, cane-leaning, ball-twirling Lucky the Leprechaun.

The original Lucky was created in the 1960s by the brother of legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach.

Talented family.

11. Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors Court — The City looks good.

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Established: 1946

Other names: Dubs, W's

Mascot: None

Championships: 6 (1947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018)

Bottom line: For those who may not even know where in the Golden State that the Warriors are based, this Bay Bridge logo is a not-so-subtle hint. It also unifies local fans of the team, which used to play in San Francisco but relocated to Oakland.

Bottom Line: Golden State Warriors

For those who may not even know where in the Golden State that the Warriors are based, this Bay Bridge logo is a not-so-subtle hint.

It also unifies local fans of the team, which used to play in San Francisco but relocated to Oakland.

They'll ride with the Dubs until the wheels fall off.

12. Los Angeles Lakers

Newly acquired Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash poses at center court for team photographer Andrew Bernstein after a news conference at the NBA basketball team's headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Wednesday, July 11, 2012. The Lakers acquired two-time MVP Nash from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2013 and 2015 as well as second-round draft picks in 2013 and 2014, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said.

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Established: 1947 (based in Los Angeles since 1960)

Other names: Lake Show, Showtime

Mascot: None

Championships: 17 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020)

Bottom Line: Los Angeles Lakers

It’s not a masterpiece, but the design is first class.

The purple letters stand out and the illusion that the letters are streaking down the court toward the hoop is almost Magical.

13. Minnesota Vikings

Randy Moss — There is a time for everything.

Sport: Football (NFL)

Established: 1960 (began play in 1961)

Other names: None

Mascot: Viktor the Viking, Ragnar

Championships: 1 (1969, NFL championship, pre-1970 AFL-NFL merger)

Bottom Line: Minnesota Vikings

Vikings fans arrive — Never fear facing challenges.

The Norseman has been the face of the Vikings since the team started playing in 1961.

His coloring has been tweaked twice over the decades, but that stern glare has remained steadfast.

And he's always ready for battle.

14. Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo — Are the Cowboys still America's Team?

Sport: Football (NFL)

Established: 1960

Other names: America's Team, Doomsday Defense, The 'Boys, Big D

Mascot: Rowdy

Championships: 5 (1972, 1978, 1994, 1993, 1996)

Bottom Line: Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders — Everything's bigger in Texas.

The Cowboys’ iconic, navy blue star logo is representative of The Lone Star State.

It’s debatable if Dallas is still America’s Team, but the whole sporting universe recognizes the team’s star power.

How about them Cowboys?

15. Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Helmet — It doesn't more iconic than the Raiders' Silver and Black.

Sport: Football (NFL)

Established: 1960 (based in Las Vegas since 1920)

Other names: Silver and Black, Men in Black, Team of the Decades, The World's Team, Malosos (Mexican fan base)

Mascot: Raider Rusher

Championships: 3 (1976, 1980, 1983)

Bottom Line: Las Vegas Raiders

Just win, baby.

The eye-patched pirate (reportedly in the image of actor Randolph Scott) has been the image of the Raiders for more than 50 years.

If only the team could stay in one city that long. The Raiders now call Las Vegas home, and the logo remains the same after the team's relocation.

So does the team commitment to excellence. Time will tell about the implementation of that commitment.

16. Los Angeles Angels

George Brunet — The Angels have called Anaheim home since 1966.

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1961 (based in Anaheim since 1966)

Other names: Halos

Mascot: Rally Monkey (unofficial)

Championships: 1 (2002)

Botttom Line: Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout — Not everyone is a fan of the red.

The Angels have been all over the ballpark with their logo.

When they were called the California Angles, the design incorporated an outline of the state.

Now — thank heavens — the capital "A" can rest easy with a halo on its crown.

17. New York Mets

The Mets are the apple of some New Yorkers' eyes.

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1962

Other names: The Metropolitans, The Amazin's, The Metsies, Miracle Mets (1969), The Amazin' Mets (1969), The Bad Guys (1986)

Mascot: Mr. Met

Championships: 2 (1969, 1986)

Bottom Line: New York Mets

Nice skyline.

The blue-hued depiction of the New York skyline within an orange seamed baseball is busy, to be sure.

But hey, fuggedaboutit, so is the City That Never Sleeps.

18. Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose in Bulls Cap — Good logo design. And that's no bull.

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Established: 1966

Other names: C's, Celts

Mascot: Benny the Bull

Championships: 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)

Bottom Line: Chicago Bulls

Don't mess with Benny.

The red-tipped horns. The glare. The flaring nostrils. And the memory of Michael Jordan flying down the court wearing one of the NBA’s best logos.

It's been tweaked over a 50-year history, but it's still bullish.

19. Philadelphia Flyers

Claude Giroux — They got grit and style.

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Established: 1967

Other names: Broad Street Bullies

Mascot: Gritty

Championships: 2 (1974, 1975)

Bottom Line: Philadelphia Flyers

Scott Hartnell — Old school. New school. Any school.

The team tried to revamp the logo — once — but it was rejected in the same manner that Philadelphians boo Santa Clause at sporting events.

It remains the classic black-and-orange winged P and harkens back to the Broad Street Bullies days.

The game may have changed, but this logo won't ever go out of style.

20. Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Locker Room — Can't beat a skating penguin.

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Established: 1967

Other names: Pens

Mascot: Iceburgh

Championships: 5 (1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, 2017)

Bottom Line: Pittsburgh Penguins

Evan Rodrigues — Black and yellow. Enough said.

Unlikely as it seems, it’s been a black-and-white skating penguin for most of the team’s history.

This broad-shouldered penguin with arms isn’t cute (rightly so). Rather, he looks ready to find an open net.

Throw in some yellow, and we have a winner.

21. St. Louis Blues

Alex Pietrangelo — This logo is music to our ears.

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Established: 1967

Other names: None

Mascot: Louie

Championships: 1 (2019)

Bottom Line: St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues Fans — Play it again, Blues.

The city of St. Louis is well-known for having a history of great blues and jazz music.

Hence, the team's winged Blue Note (as in a musical note).

It's clear and defines the team and city.

22. Milwaukee Bucks

Fear the deer.

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Established: 1968

Other names: None

Mascot: Bango

Championships: 1 (1971)

Bottom Line: Milwaukee Bucks

The updated logo is strong, with a determined Buck looking straight ahead — daring you to try and dunk on him.

His expanded rack has more points (showing maturity) and also integrates the shape of a basketball.

In the 2020s, beware of the deer.

23. Edmonton Oilers

Wayne Gretzky — "The Great One" could apply to the player or logo.

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Established: 1972

Other names: The Oil

Mascot: Hunter

Championships: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)

Bottom Line: Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid — New millennium, same style.

Can five Stanley Cup wins and a history with Wayne "The Great One" Gretzky have an effect on the coolness of a team logo? Yes.

The colors have changed over the years, but the drop of oil and the oily effect used in the team name still powers the logo engine.

In other words, the design is still great.

24. Seattle Seahawks

This is the old Seahawks logo.

Sport: Football (NFL)

Established: 1974 (began play in 1976)

Other names: The 'Hawks, Blue Wave (1984–86)

Mascot: Blitz, Boom

Championships: 1 (2013)

Bottom Line: Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Flag — This is the new Seahawks logo.

When the team unveiled its name in 1975, general manager John Thompson said a Seahawk is "a tough, fish-eating bird."

The streamlined head-and-beak design is a subtle nod to the Seattle-area Native American culture.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kellen Winslow with Buccaneers Flag — Arrr, Matey.

Sport: Football (NFL)

Established: 1974 (began play in 1976)

Other names: Bucs

Mascot: Captain Fear

Championships: 11 (1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011)

Bottom Line: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sapp and Culpepper — The Bucs stop here.

An angry skeleton skull amply depicts the pirate/buccaneer genre.

Arrr, the blood-red flag is an appropriate background color for the skull-and-crossed-swords design.

It's a pirate's life for the Bucs.

26. Toronto Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — Toronto knows how to do it.

Sport: Baseball (MLB)

Established: 1977

Other names: Jays

Mascot: Ace

Championships: 2 (1992, 1993)

Bottom Line: Toronto Blue Jays

Murphy and Blue Jays Celebrate — The True North strong and free.

This is a logo that has been tinkered and changed over a relatively short franchise lifespan.

The bird and its beak have now been successfully tweaked.

Add in the maple leaf and you just have to nod and say, "Oh, Canada."

27. D.C. United

Sport: Soccer (MLS)

Established: 1994 (began play in 1996)

Other names: Black-and-Red

Mascot: Talon

Championships: 4 (1996, 1997, 1999, 2004)

Bottom Line: D.C. United

Based in the capital city of the United States, the team’s logo reflects the magnitude of being in a city named for the father of our country.

The shield is based on the George Washington family crest.

And there’s a proud eagle — with recently enhanced wings.

28. L.A. Galaxy

L.A. Galaxy Players — A few more stars in Los Angeles.

Sport: Soccer (MLS)

Established: 1994 (began play in 1996)

Other names: None

Mascot: Cozmo

Championships: 5 (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)

Bottom line: The original design for the Galaxy was seemingly lost in the cosmos. The new logo succinctly points out the team’s name and features a single bright star—much more becoming of a city that runs on star power.

Bottom Line: Los Angeles Galaxy

Carlo Cudicini Stops Shot — Bright lights, big city.

The original design for the Galaxy was seemingly lost in the cosmos.

The new logo succinctly points out the team’s name and features a single bright star.

It's much more becoming of a city that runs on star power.

29. Memphis Grizzlies

It's scary and beautiful.

Sport: Basketball (NBA)

Established: 1995

Other names: Beale Street Bears, Believe Memphis

Mascot: Grizz

Championships: None

Bottom Line: Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzly in this logo is no teddy bear. His gaze is stern and stoic. He’s no Winnie the Poo.

One of the best aspects of the design is the color — Beale Street Blue, a reference to Memphis’ popular, music-infused entertainment district.

Just don't get any rib sauce on it.

30. Las Vegas Golden Knights

Las Vegas Golden Knights Celebrate — Welcome to the party.

Sport: Hockey (NHL)

Established: 2017

Other names: None

Mascot: Chance (Gila monster)

Championships: None

Bottom Line: Las Vegas Golden Knights

Ryan Reaves — We could get used to this.

Name another team that went to the Stanley Cup in its first season in the NHL and has a logo that is a Medieval barbute helmet superimposed over a black-and-gold seal, with a V-shaped opening.

And they get to call Las Vegas home.

What are the odds?