NBA Logo: Jerry West's Silhouette Powers Iconic Symbol
The NBA logo, a symbol of discipline, strength, and sporting excellence, is a white silhouette of a player dribbling a ball. Many fans are unaware that the figure is based on a real person, Jerry West. The NBA has been reluctant to acknowledge this, often referring to the logo as 'Logoman'.
The logo's origins date back to 1969 when Alan Siegel, a former high school basketball player, was tasked by then-NBA commissioner J. Walter Kennedy to create a logo for the league. Siegel used a photograph of Jerry West, then playing for the Lakers, taken by Wen Roberts as inspiration. The logo, featuring West's iconic silhouette, was instantly iconic and helped propel the NBA to dominance in American basketball.
In 2017, the NBA refreshed the logo, updating the typeface for 'NBA' and slightly adjusting the colors. However, the core design, based on West's silhouette, remained unchanged. The logo is widely regarded as one of the best sports logos of all time, with an enduring design legacy.
In 2020, a movement emerged to replace the logo with a depiction of the late Kobe Bryant. However, the NBA decided against this, choosing to maintain the existing logo. In 2021, to celebrate the NBA's 75th anniversary, a temporary logo was introduced featuring a diamond and the number '75'.
The NBA logo, based on Jerry West's silhouette, remains a powerful symbol of the league's strength and excellence. Despite attempts to change it, the logo's enduring design and legacy ensure it continues to represent the NBA.
