New logo redesign concepts can be a great way for graphic designers to showcase their skills, and sometimes a logo redesign concept goes viral on social media. Such is the case with this Chicago Bulls logo redesign concept, which has sparked a debate about the design among the team’s fans.
Perhaps one of the reasons this concept has garnered so much attention is that the Chicago Bulls are the only NBA team that has never changed its logo. That’s something of a surprise these days, when some sports teams seem to change their logos almost as often as they change their jerseys (see our picks for the best nba logos).
Emilie Morgan is a graphic designer specializing in sports branding. She has shared dozens of logo redesign concepts on her social media accounts, including logos for some of the most popular basketball, baseball, and American football teams in the United States.
At the heart of her idea for the new Chicago Bulls logo was the incorporation of the “Michael Jordan shrug” to form the base of the bull’s nose. She also altered the bull’s forehead so that the lines more clearly resemble the markings on a ball.
Many fans love the design with its subtle references and beefier bull, and it has even won over some cynics. “The Bulls logo is so iconic and timeless that it feels like a crime when someone tries to change or redesign it. But that shrug is very clever,” one person chimed in on Instagram. However, not everyone is convinced by the addition of a thick neck to the bull. Others note that there may be a reason the Chicago Bulls have bucked the trend of sports regulators redesigning their logos.
The History of the Chicago Bulls Logo
The Chicago Bulls are named for Illinois’ historical connection to bulls and the meatpacking industry. The team’s first stadium, the Chicago Amphitheatre, was located near the Chicago Stockyards. The Chicago Packers also had a bull logo.
Graphic designer Dean P. Wessel created the Chicago Bulls logo in 1966, when the team first debuted, featuring a focused, angry bull with half-closed eyes. The red and black color scheme was suggested by founder Dick Klein.
Why has the Chicago Bulls logo never changed?
The main reason the Chicago Bulls logo has never changed is probably because there was no need to change it. It is simple, effective and recognizable, it stands out and exudes a dominant energy. The team’s success in the early 1990s with Michael Jordan probably helped ensure the logo’s staying power, making it iconic not only in the United States but also around the world as the NBA grew in popularity internationally. The association with Jordan’s performances means that there would likely be an outcry among fans if an attempt were made to change the logo today.
Discover our selection of best sports logos for more examples of winning designs.
