Most Recognized Sports Logos

At the heart of every good sports brand is the logo, which presents an attractive visual symbol that fans can instantly recognise regardless of where it is used.

Many organisations often make the mistake of tampering with famous logos, leaving their fans feeling underwhelmed and often angry.

Read on as we look at five of the most iconic logos that are instantly recognisable to millions of sports fans across the world.

Manchester United

Manchester United have one of the most famous Premier League crests, which has been designed to reflect the rich heritage of the club.

The current version has evolved from the original 1963 design, which was based on the coat of arms of Manchester City Council.

The latest incarnation of the logo was crafted towards the end of the 20th century, and retains a nod to the coat of arms along with the now famous ‘Red Devil’.

Any fans turning in to watch soccer streams would be hard-pressed not to recognise United’s logo, highlighting just how iconic it has become.

New York Yankees

The Yankees’ famous 'NY' logo predates the baseball franchise, having first been used to honour a police officer who had been shot in the line of duty.

It was initially adopted by the New York Highlanders Baseball Club - later to become the New York Yankees - during the early 1900s.

The Yankees have used a few variations of the logo during their storied history, but the interlocking ‘N’ and ‘Y’ is what people generally associate with the team.

Interestingly, Babe Ruth never wore the logo on his uniform during his time with the club as it was not featured on their jerseys from 1917 to 1936.

Dallas Cowboys

Simplicity often works best where branding is concerned, and this is an ethos that the Dallas Cowboys have expertly leveraged to their advantage.

The blue star is a tribute to Texas – the ‘Lone Star’ state – and has been unchanged since the addition of a white outline to make it look 3D back in 1964.

Its size and shape mean that it can be manipulated to be used in every possible scenario, thus helping the Cowboys maintain brand consistency.

The choice of blue colouring was also strategic, presenting the air of excellence and dependability that every sports organisation strives to portray.

The Olympic Rings

When it comes to logos at sports governance level, there is no more iconic symbol than the five interlocking circles of the Olympic Rings.

Created in 1913 by Pierre de Coubertin, the logo is designed to represent the five continents of the world that are united by Olympism.

When used in its five-colour version, the colours from left to right are blue, yellow, black, green and red, with the rings interlaced to demonstrate unity.

With a history dating back over 100 years, the Rings remain a global representation of the Olympic Movement and its activity.

Montreal Canadiens

First founded in 1909, the Montreal Canadiens are one of the oldest professional sports franchises in North America.

The Canadiens have also been operating longer than any other professional ice hockey team in the world, winning the Stanley Cup more than any other team in history.

Their logo blends the letters ‘C’ and ‘H’ and has remained relatively consistent since it was first created for the 1917/18 season.

The traditional red, blue and white colours make this one of the most recognisable logos around, reflecting the Canadiens’ status as an iconic sports organisation.