Creating a sports logo four or five decades ago wasn’t a dramatic and publicized process like it is now. And there was rarely a barbaric crowd waiting to rip new boring designs limb-by-limb (yes, we’re looking at you, Cleveland Browns).
Despite less emphasis on brand engagement and awareness, logos from long ago still reside among the best all-time, as do those from those from most recent memory, including the gloriously flamboyant 1990s.
Here are 25 of the best defunct logos from the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL of all-time:
Denver Nuggets – 1981-1993
Chicago White Sox – 1976-1990
Anaheim Mighty Ducks – 1993-2005
Atlanta Braves – 1968-1971
Denver Nuggets – 1974-1981
Houston Astros – 1977-1993
Detroit Pistons – 1996-2001
Pittsburgh Steelers – 1962-1968
Cincinnati Reds – 1954-1960
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1976-1996
Milwaukee Brewers – 1978-1993
Seattle SuperSonics – 1995-2001
San Diego Padres – 1969-1984
Cleveland Browns – 1959-1969
Denver Broncos – 1970-1996
New England Patriots – 1961-1992
San Diego Chargers – 1961-1973
San Francisco 49ers – 1946-1967
Seattle Seahawks – 1976-2001
Cleveland Cavaliers – 1983-1994
New York Islanders – 1995-1997
Memphis Grizzlies – 2001-2004
Portland Trail Blazers – 1970-1990
Montreal Expos – 1969-1991
Seattle Mariners – 1981-1986
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