Buffalo Bisons Logo PNG
The Buffalo Bisons’ logo symbolizes a baseball club deeply embedded in Buffalo’s urban rhythm. It emphasizes stability, tradition, and connections with fans maintained despite changes.
The Buffalo Bisons have a history dating back to 1877, when the city’s first professional baseball team was founded. Invited into the National League in 1879, they remained in the league until 1885. After several league changes, the Bisons settled in the International League, becoming a prominent minor league club. Notably, Hector Lopez became the first Black Triple-A manager with the Bisons in 1969.
In 1970, the franchise moved to Winnipeg, leaving Buffalo without professional baseball for eight years. The Bisons returned in 1979, thanks to an investor group led by Mayor Griffin, who revived the name. Robert Rich Jr. acquired the club in 1983, elevating it to Triple-A status. In 1988, the Bisons relocated to Pilot Field, setting a minor-league attendance record.
Despite several attempts, the team was never able to gain entry into Major League Baseball. Achievements include International League championships and Governors’ victories in the Cup. Since 2013, the Bisons have been affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, and in 2020, their home stadium temporarily hosted MLB games. Today, the Bisons remain popular, known for distinctive mascots and strong baseball traditions.
Meaning and History
What is Buffalo Bisons?
A Triple-A baseball club representing Buffalo, New York. Its home stadium is centrally located and features a retro atmosphere. The team has existed under this name for over a century. After the local basketball team relocated, the club became the city’s main sports attraction.
1985 – 1987
The original Buffalo Bisons logo, created by artist Mark Mennenga in 1985, featured a buffalo wearing the team’s uniform, holding a bat. The style was a classic sports cartoon with mild humor. The buffalo is focused on hitting, eyes fixed on the ball, emphasizing the team’s concentration and athletic spirit.
The club’s colors, blue and red, followed the American sports tradition. The name appeared in two lines: “BISON” in blue Impact, with “baseball” written below in red cursive, resembling Brush Script.
A notable detail was a baseball on the right, with speed lines emphasizing the energy of the hit. This visual lasted only until 1987, but it marked the beginning of the club’s colorful design history.
1988
In 1988, the Buffalo Bisons simplified the logo, removing the text and baseball to focus solely on the buffalo image.
The buffalo figure remained, but the hat changed from white, labeled “BIS,” to a blue baseball cap with a red visor and a simple “B.” This added a clean style and emphasized the club’s personality.
The graphics retained the buffalo’s clear blue contours, with red accents. The buffalo maintained its aggressive posture.
1989 – 1997
In this version, the buffalo gained realistic brown fur. The baseball bat became a deeper brown, complementing the style.
The major change was the addition of a two-level name to the buffalo’s right. “Buffalo” was in dark blue uppercase sans-serif letters, neatly positioned above. Below, “Bisons” appeared in vivid red cursive with a double white-and-blue outline, adding energy and athleticism.
1998 – 2003
The team redesigned its brand image, featuring a buffalo dynamically sliding toward the base to highlight player speed and detail.
The word “BISONS” became the main feature, with red letters outlined in gold and shaded green for depth. The initial “B” was larger for emphasis.
The logo features shades of red, gold, and moss green. They symbolize the team’s renewed direction and individuality.
2004 – 2008
In 2004, the logo underwent a slight update, yet it was still noticeably different. The red in the team’s name deepened, enhancing visual energy. The updated colors connected the club to classic baseball traditions.
2009 – 2012
Brandiose Studio created a new, realistic buffalo leaping forward, in contrasting black and brown, adding a sense of seriousness. The background was a baseball with bright orange stitching. A lower skyline silhouette in blue depicted Buffalo’s urban landscape.
“Buffalo” appeared in orange cursive slab-serif type. The main “Bisons” was in bold blue lettering outlined in white and orange. Blue represented speed, orange conveyed energy, and dark buffalo shades added a sense of seriousness.
2013 – today
The current Buffalo Bisons logo, introduced in 2013 by Brandiose, visually recalls the club’s mid-1980s style with slight changes.
The buffalo holds a bat, ready to swing, with its head raised more confidently than before. Its color is deep brown, and the uniform is accented in traditional red and blue.
A round emblem mimics a baseball, surrounded by a red band with “BUFFALO BISONS” in white slab-serif letters outlined in blue, highlighting the club’s professional baseball affiliation.
This logo emphasizes the Buffalo Bisons’ heritage as a Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The animal image links tradition to modern baseball dynamics, highlighting the team’s identity and continuity.
