15 Old-School Pro Sports Logos That Need to Make a Comeback

The Sacramento Kings unveiled new logos in April, and most seem to agree they are a big hit. In what shouldn't come as a surprise given the popularity of throwback uniforms, the new primary logo was inspired by a relic of the past, resurrected and restored to glory.  

Sports teams wear throwback uniforms all of the time nowadays. Cynics might say it's just to make money, but even so, that tactic wouldn't work if fans didn't dig it.

Let's pretend a few professional teams are planning a rebrand. Who should consider digging into their archives? Whose logo history is rich enough to posit a Kings-like resurgence?

This is all subjective, obviously, but here are 15 pro sports teams that should bring back their old logos. And of course, for a logo to make a hypothetical comeback, the team in question has to currently exist with the same name. (Pour one out for the Montreal Expos, Seattle SuperSonics and Harford Whalers here, because those logos were all awesome.)

Unpopular opinion alert: The new Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo is better than that old winking pirate. 

Denver Broncos and 'The D'

JOHN MOTTERN/Getty Images

1970-1996

The Denver Broncos' logo has always featured, appropriately, a Bronco. And yet there was something special about the "D" of the John Elway days and before.  

One fan, Zach Peterson, said, "The D is Denver, defense, orange crush. Brings back the tough days, the grind of the old football teams," per Macradee Aegerter of Fox 31 Denver.

If ever there was a time to bring back a logo that represented defense to fans, now would be it, right? 

The current logo is certainly more modern, but modern isn't always better, right? With Von Miller and crew on the roster, perhaps a big fat "D" on the helmet isn't a bad idea.

Texas Rangers and the State (or the Cowboy)

Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Any from 1971-93

The Texas Rangers actually have several old-school logos that would be better than the current iteration, a version that features neither the state of Texas (1981-93) nor a baseball wearing a cowboy hat (1971-80).  

The current logo isn't bad. It's got a baseball and a "T" for Texas, but as Rangers branding history has proved, it could be so much more (see: above-arm patch). 

You can check out more of the older logos here, courtesy of the Rangers' official website.  

Vancouver Canucks and the 'Flying Skate'

Rogers Photo Archive/Getty Images

1978-97

A "Canuck" is really just a person from Canada, much like a "Hoosier" is a person from Indiana. And so, the Vancouver Canucks' present logo involving a whale just doesn't make much sense (unless, of course, you know the team is owned by a company that used to be called Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment).

So why not bring back the old ice skate logo? Yes, it featured a questionable red-and-yellow color scheme, but at least it had a clear hockey hook instead of the faint "Vancouver is near the ocean, and the ocean has whales" connection.

Buffalo Bills and the Bison

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

1962-73

The Buffalo Bills have a problem. That is, they have two fantastic primary logos at their disposal. Yes, the old emblem was just a red buffalo, an animal that appeared to be grazing lazily rather than getting ready to stampede. And yet there was something so simplistically charming about it.

Nothing against designer Stevens Wright, but the current logo definitely looks more ferocious. However, it might be refreshing to have a logo that goes against the grain.

Bring back the grazer.

Oakland Athletics and the Elephant

MIKE FIALA/Getty Images

1901-1978

Way back when they were the Philadelphia Athletics, the Oakland Athletics had an elephant in their logo. According to the A's official website:

"

In 1901 Connie Mack and his Philadelphia Athletics became one of the original founders of the American League. In 1902 New York Giants Manager John McGraw dismissed the A's with contempt, by calling them 'The White Elephants.' He meant to imply that Mack shouldn't be allowed to spend money without supervision. Well, Connie Mack took up the gauntlet and defiantly adopted the White Elephant as the team insignia.

"

Great story. The A's took the elephant with them to Kansas City, and according to SportsLogos.net, it's still an alternate in Oakland. Maybe it's time to put the elephant back in the prime spot, though—those Philly teams were quite successful.

Besides, there are simply not enough elephants in sports. Right, Alabama?

Denver Nuggets and the 'Rainbow Skyline'

Focus On Sport/Getty Images

1981-93

Let's talk about this delightful logo from the 1980s. Is it a logo or a Rubik's Cube? Impossible to tell! 

It would be epic to bring the rainbow logo back, if for no other purpose than shock value. Oh and also, there is some evidence indicating Denver fans would dig it. In 2013, Andrew Feinstein of Denver Stiffs conducted a poll to find out Nuggets fans' favorite uniforms. Granted, there were only 302 votes, but "The Rainbow" won in a landslide.

In February, Paul Klee of the Colorado Springs Gazette called the idea of a rainbow skyline comeback part of a "perfect world."

New York Jets and the Jet

Focus On Sport/Getty Images

1963 and 1978-97

In 1963, Sonny Werblin changed the nickname of his New York football team from the Titans to the Jets. According to the team, and per Mike Wilkening of NBC Sports, the choice was made "with the positioning of home field Shea Stadium between Idlewild Airport and LaGuardia Airport one key element in the decision."

The point is—why isn't there a plane in the New York Jets logo? The original logo had one, but that guy only lasted one season. Later, from 1978-97, there was another, albeit understated, jet inside the logo.

Today's Jets should bring back the plane—or any plane. Why not, right?

Houston Astros and the Astrodome

1965-93

Two versions of old Houston Astros logos featured the Astrodome, which is kind of a cool concept, right? To have the team's facility in the official logo?

Sure, teams move (as the Astros did to Minute Maid Park in 2000), but teams also change logos, obviously.

The Astros' current logo is not bad—a version of the "H" and a star that has long graced the players' ballcaps. Still, the Astrodome logo was so original. They could bring it back with Minute Maid or just resurrect the old Astrodome logo as a way to honor their longtime home.

Miami Dolphins and the Football Helmet

RHONA WISE/Getty Images

1966-2012

Before 2013, the Miami Dolphins' logo always featured a dolphin wearing a football helmet.

The newest version, introduced in 2013, isn't drastically different—it just doesn't have the helmet. And somehow, it seems like a lesser logo because of it.  

Paul Lukas of Uni Watch said, per Marc Tracy of the New Republic, "There's a certain charm to a dolphin wearing a helmet."

There really is.

Toronto Raptors and the Dinosaur

Dave Sandford/Getty Images

1995-2015

What's cooler, Drake or a raptor? Raptor.

In 2014, the Toronto Raptors unveiled new logos that, for the first time, did not include a dinosaur. The new logo is simply a basketball with some claw marks on it, and one of the alternate versions features a color scheme inspired by Toronto superfan Drake.

The team wore throwback jerseys featuring the dino in 2014, and Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan said, "It meant a lot, especially for me since as a kid I was amazed with the purple jersey and that's what you think of when you think of the Raptors," per Rachel Brady of the Globe and Mail.

Milwaukee Brewers and the Catcher's Mitt

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

1978-1993

The Milwaukee Brewers' current logo is, frankly, a little boring. The previous rendition was much more joyful, particularly with the hidden "m" and "b" that made up the catcher's mitt. So darn clever.

The Brewers have actually brought back a version of the retro look as an alternate uniform in 2016, to be worn on most Sundays throughout the season.

Mike Axisa of CBS Sports wrote of the throwbacks, "The jersey is pretty nice, but man, that hat. It's a thing of beauty. One of the best logos in sports history, hands down."

New England Patriots and 'Pat the Patriot'

Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

1961-92

For three decades, Pat the Patriot was the face of the New England football team of the same name. Designed by Phil Bissel, a cartoonist for the Boston Globe, Pat was a Revolutionary War soldier in a three-point stance. Perfect.

According to uniform guru Paul Lukas (via ESPN.com), former owner Billy Sullivan considered a logo change in 1979, but fans booed the new design mercilessly. The current logo, "Flying Elvis" (?) wasn't implemented until 1993.

Pat the Patriot should definitely come back—only this time, he should have the face of Tom Brady. Anyone?

Bristol City FC and the Robin

1949-1994 (on and off, per the Bristol Post)

The mascot of Bristol City FC is a robin, and yet its crest contains no robins.

It hasn't always been this way, however, and more than a few zealous fans want their robin back, so to speak. There was once even a Change.org petition to return the robin to the fold.

Part of the petition read:

"

In the Robin and suspension bridge we have the perfect emblem of our club. Here with its Suspension bridge is a celebration of a marvel of architecture which nobody else can lay claim to. Couple this with the Robin a Spirited fierce fighter, willing to battle with rival birds to the death to defend its territory and we have something to be proud of.

"

Give the people what they want! Also, doesn't it just make sense to have a robin in the crest of the Robins?

Anaheim Ducks and the Goalie Mask

Robert Laberge/Getty Images

1993-2006

Why ruin a good thing, Ducks?

Well, because the team was sold, that's why. Yes, Henry and Susan Samueli bought the Ducks from the Walt Disney Corporation in 2005, but still. If the franchise is going to be named after a Disney movie, shouldn't there be at least a hint of that Disney flavor in the logo?

The new ownership-new look thing is understandable, but the original logo, an old goalie mask in the shape of a duck bill, was perfection. Chris Peters of CBS Sports wrote, "For anyone who grew up a hockey fan in the 1990s, the mighty jerseys have been missed."

The new ownership dropped "mighty" from the team name as well. 

Golden State Warriors and 'The City'

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

1966-71

The Golden State Warriors are based in Oakland, California, now, but they were once in San Francisco (and will be again if all goes according to plan).

In 1966, the team began wearing jerseys with "The City" emblazoned on the front and a cable car on the back. Paul Lukas wrote (via ESPN.com) the duds were "widely regarded as the best uniform in basketball history."

Former Warriors player and coach Al Attles once talked about wearing the uniforms in New York. Per NBA.com, he said, "Imagine, we're in New York, people from New York consider it the Big Apple, The City. ... I don't know if it was intentional or not, but nobody wanted to be the first to take the jacket off. Finally, we take the jackets off and I'll be darned if we don't get a standing ovation from the New York crowd."

The logo went by the wayside when the team moved across the Bay in 1971-72, but its impending return might provide a perfect opportunity to actually resurrect this boss old-time logo.