A logo is not only a symbol of a brand, company, or organization. It often symbolizes important meanings, philosophies, or beliefs that they hold. While many people may not think deeply about the meaning behind certain logos, they are crucial for the company itself.
Sports logos also carry important meanings and interesting stories. Here are the stories behind some of the most popular logos:
Adidas
Adolf “Adi” Dassler, a shoemaker, created Adidas. Many people think Adidas combines his nickname and last name. However, he claimed that it stands for ‘All Day I Dream About Sports.’
The concept of three stripes for this sports logo emerged in 1967 without significant meaning. His only reason was to create a simple logo that stuck in customers’ memories.
In 1972, a new design with three stripes in the form of a trefoil symbolized the company's versatility. Subsequently, in 1990, the logo changed to three slanted stripes, representing the obstacles and challenges athletes face to achieve success.
Nike
Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student, created the Nike logo in 1971 after working for over 17 hours and coming up with dozens of concept options. Despite its simplicity, the logo underwent thorough development.
Phil Knight, a co-founder of Nike, commissioned Carolyn to design a logo that conveys motion and looks good on a shoe. This led to the creation of today's famous Nike Swoosh logo.
Under Armour
Kevin Plank, a student and athlete, created this brand in 1996. Motivated by his dislike for sweat-soaked t-shirts, he researched synthetic fabrics and designed the first compression T-shirt called the HeatGear shirt.
Inspired by the term body armor, these UA sports logos were born. However, his brother accidentally called the brand Under Armour, and the name stuck.
Reebok
The Reebok logo you recognize today is the second change from its original sports logos. In 1895, their logo featured a Union Jack flag representing their humble and local beginnings.
In 1986, the brand announced its new logo, a streak across a racing track inspired by the product and designs of the company, symbolizing the era of performance products.
By 2014, Reebok changed its logo into a Delta, symbolizing how fitness positively transforms people’s lives: the three lines represent physical, mental, and social changes.
Puma
Rudolf Dassler, the brother of Adidas creator Adolf Dassler, created Puma. Puma's sports logo, featuring a jumping puma, has been a part of its design since its inception. Although the logo has been altered several times, the Puma image remains.
The brand's logo means exactly what it depicts: a big predator cat. The jumping puma symbolizes movement, velocity, strength, and power, contributing to its commercial success.
According to legend, Rudolf Dassler was called Puma by his friends due to his romantic affairs, which inspired the brand name.
Every brand has a unique story and meaning behind its logo creation, and this applies to sports logos as well. Some sports brands go through several changes before finding the right logo. Understandably, you might also experience major changes when experimenting with your logo design.
Find more inspiration for your logo design, fonts, or other graphic templates here!
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