The Los Angeles Clippers have undergone several distinct eras since their inception as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, and with each phase came a new visual identity. Understanding when did the Clippers change their logo requires tracing a journey from humble beginnings to a modern, marketable brand that reflects the team’s ascent in the NBA. The evolution of the Clippers logo is a story of adaptation, reflecting changes in ownership, city, and the league’s design philosophy over more than four decades.
From Buffalo to San Diego: The Original Identity
When the franchise first arrived in Buffalo in 1970, the logo featured a distinctive red and white color scheme with a horse holding a basketball, set within a circular frame. This emblem, representing the Buffalo Braves, established the foundational elements that would persist even after the team relocated. The primary change during this early period was not a complete overhaul but rather a refinement of the script and color balance, maintaining the core identity while adapting to the aesthetics of the late 1970s. The move to San Diego in 1978 necessitated a subtle update, but the logo largely retained the horse and basketball motif, signaling continuity for the franchise despite the geographic shift.
The Clippers Emerge: The First Major Overhaul
The most significant transformation occurred in 1984 when the team officially became the Los Angeles Clippers. This rename demanded a corresponding change in branding to shed the Buffalo legacy and establish a unique presence in the massive Los Angeles market. The logo introduced during this period featured a bold script reading "Clippers" with a dynamic, sweeping underline, giving the impression of speed and coastal flair. This design marked a clear departure from the horse emblem, embracing a more modern, typography-focused approach that aimed to connect with the vibrant energy of Southern California.
1970-1978: Buffalo Braves era with the iconic horse logo.
1978-1984: Transition period in San Diego, retaining core elements.
1984: Rebranding to Los Angeles Clippers introduces the script logo.
Refinement and the Rise of the DC Era
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the Clippers refined their 1984 logo, adjusting the font weight, color saturation, and the underline design to keep the look sharp and contemporary. The script became more streamlined, and the color palette often shifted between vibrant red, white, and blue schemes. This period of relative stability lasted until the franchise was purchased by Donald Sterling and subsequently relocated to Los Angeles, which ultimately led to another identity shift to better represent the city of angels.
The 2015 Rebrand: Embracing Modernity
A major turning point arrived in 2015 when the Clippers unveiled a complete rebranding initiative. This overhaul was part of a broader league-wide trend toward simplified, versatile logos that worked across various media, from jerseys to digital platforms. The new logo abandoned the script for a bold, block-letter "Clippers" wordmark, featuring a clean, geometric design with a prominent red and black color scheme. A new secondary logo depicting a clipper ship sailing through waves was also introduced, adding a layer of nautical heritage that connected to the team name without relying on a cartoonish mascot.
