Minnesota Timberwolves Logo

Minnesota Timberwolves LogoMinnesota Timberwolves Logo PNG

The Minnesota basketball club, founded in 1989, chose a wolf as its mascot. The modern logo of the Minnesota Timberwolves symbolizes aggressiveness, affiliation with the state, the aspiration to be a worthy defender of the region’s sports reputation, moving forward, and respect for its past.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Brand overview

Founded:1989
Founder:Glen Taylor
Headquarters:
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Website:nba.com

In 1960, Minnesota lost its NBA franchise when the Lakers team moved from Minneapolis to the City of Angels. They are now known as the “Los Angeles Lakers.”

The NBA franchise reappeared in Minnesota in 1989 when the Minnesota Timberwolves team was established in Minneapolis, the state’s largest city.

The club owners announced a contest for the best name to choose the most suitable one. The most popular options were “Timberwolves” and “Polars.” To make a decision, a survey of 842 municipal councils in Minnesota was conducted. Eventually, the club was named Minnesota Timberwolves – this option received twice as many votes.

Crunch the wolf – the mascot of the “Minnesota Timberwolves.”

Meaning and History

Minnesota Timberwolves Logo History

The basketball club’s logos are associated with its mascot – Crunch the Wolf. In addition to him, they contain the full name Minnesota Timberwolves, which at different times was written in various fonts. Emblems presented after the 1990s have two forms: round as a ball and figurative with images of trees. Each version is conceptually thoughtful: the designers paid attention to the artistic and the meaningful components.

Throughout the year, designers worked on a new emblem. Eventually, the creators of the logo preferred the option with the evolution of previous logos. But at the same time, designers added elements symbolizing the state of Minnesota to the updated emblem.

Specifically, the current Minnesota Timberwolves logo includes the North Star, which is marked on the state’s flag. The wolf in the new emblem looks into the future. “Of course, the team respects its past, but the new logo symbolizes moving forward and the aspiration to conquer new territory,” writes the official Minnesota website.

Rodney Richardson and RARE Design worked on the new logo. Richardson previously collaborated with the “Charlotte Hornets,” “New Orleans Pelicans,” “Atlanta Hawks,” and “Memphis Grizzlies.”

The discussion of the new team logo sparked a lively reaction among club fans. According to many sports enthusiasts, the new emblem of “Minnesota” copied the logo of the National Hockey League (NHL) club “Arizona Coyotes,” where a coyote is depicted in a similar form.

What is Minnesota Timberwolves?

Minnesota Timberwolves is a sports franchise from Minneapolis. It is a member of the National Basketball Association and, as of 2021, has not yet won a championship. The team, which appeared in 1989, has been playing at the Target Center stadium since 1990.

1990 – 1996

Minnesota Timberwolves Logo 1990-1996

The “New Minneapolis” basketball club appeared relatively recently – in 1989. Local residents voted for the name and eventually chose the aggressive “Timberwolves.” Bob Stein, president of the Minnesota Timberwolves, wished for the wolf on the logo to look not sinister but aggressive. Artist Mark Thompson took on the realization of this idea. He depicted the animal’s head against a gray basketball with blue and green contours. The wolf does not seem dangerous, but its eyes glow pale green, indicating hidden hostility. The club’s name is located under the circle: the font of the first word imitates handwriting, and the second is written in a sans-serif font.

1997 – 2008

Minnesota Timberwolves Logo 1997-2008

After sticking with the first Minnesota Timberwolves logo for six years, the owners decided to change it. The new logo, introduced in 1996, was designed by Peter Thornburgh. He made the drawing more emotional: he depicted a grinning wolf with sharp fangs and used black to create an “emerging from the shadows” effect. To the right and left of the animal’s head are green trees, and at the bottom is the inscription “Minnesota Timberwolves.” The second word looks unusual, thanks to the stylized font with sharp serifs.

2009 – 2017

Minnesota Timberwolves Logo 2009-2017

The logo changed according to the rise in graphic design level. After 11 years, the creators decided to do without significant changes, merely adjusting the details. The 2009 emblem is not much different from the previous one. The artist kept the recognizable drawing but changed the colors. Now, the wolf is gray with a white spot and a black outline, the trees are pale green, and the “Timberwolves” inscription is white with a blue-black stroke.

2017 – today

Minnesota Timberwolves Logo 2017-Present

April 11, 2017, marked the official release of the new logo. Its development took 12 months as part of a creative collaboration between designer Rodney Richardson from the branding agency RARE Design, NBA executives, and basketball club owners. They combined iconic elements from previous emblems: the ball, the wolf’s head, and the team’s name.

The new Minnesota Timberwolves club logo underwent significant changes, except for some symbols that the designers kept. As in previous years, the blue Wolf is at the very center, depicted against a blue ball and a green star. The wolf is shown in profile with an open mouth. The animal’s snarl symbolizes the courage and energy with which the team moves towards glory. It is worth noting that the green eyes and the same color for the star were chosen deliberately. It is both a nod to the green color of the state of Minnesota and the color of the huge buds on the trees that grow abundantly in this state.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Interesting Facts

The Minnesota Timberwolves, a basketball team that started in 1989, have had ups and downs, great players, and big moments. Here’s what makes them special:

  1. How They Got Their Name: “Timberwolves” was picked from a contest. It fits Minnesota’s wild side and shows the team’s tough spirit.
  2. Starting Out: Their first season was in 1989. It was tough initially, but it laid the groundwork for better times.
  3. Kevin Garnett: Drafted in 1995 straight from high school, Garnett became a key player. He helped the team reach the playoffs eight times and was named the Most Valuable Player in 2004.
  4. Home Games: They play at the Target Center in Minneapolis, which opened in 1990 and has been updated to keep it nice for fans.
  5. Biggest Win: On December 8, 2001, they beat the Chicago Bulls by 53 points, setting a record for their biggest win.
  6. New Owners: In 2021, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore started buying the team, starting a new chapter for the Timberwolves.
  7. Flip Saunders: Saunders was very important to the team as a coach and leader. He is remembered for his big impact on the team.
  8. 2004 Playoffs: The 2003-2004 season was their best. With players like Garnett, Sam Cassell, and Latrell Sprewell, they made it to the Western Conference Finals.
  9. Rookie Awards: Players like Karl-Anthony Towns in 2016 have won awards for being the best new player, showing the team’s talent.
  10. Players from Around the World: The Timberwolves have had players from different countries, like Ricky Rubio from Spain, showing the team’s and the league’s wide reach.
  11. Helping the Community: The team does a lot of charity work, focusing on health, education, and helping families.
  12. All-Star Game: They hosted the big NBA All-Star Game in 1994, bringing much attention to Minnesota’s love for basketball.

These points show how the Minnesota Timberwolves have grown and contributed to basketball with great players and efforts on and off the court.

Font and Colors

Minnesota Timberwolves emblem

The modern Minnesota Timberwolves logo is a tribute to the club’s historical heritage. For many years in a row, a wolf has been at the center of the composition. But this time, it is not growling but solemnly howling, throwing its head back. There is a special meaning hidden here, as wolves use howling to strengthen connections with the pack, assert their rights over territory, and warn strangers not to approach.

Lines on the basketball cross, forming a green four-pointed star. This is the North Star, which, in turn, is the embodiment of northern Minnesota. Inside the dark blue ring, which serves as a frame, the club’s name is written in white letters.

Minnesota Timberwolves Symbol

The inscription “Minnesota Timberwolves” is done in a simple hacker font. Developers paid much more attention to color selection. They tried to maintain the classic combination of green and blue, changing the usual shades. The palette includes white (#FFFFFF), blue (#005083), gray (#C6CFD4), green (#7AC143), and dark blue (#002B5C).

The inspiration for each color came from the picturesque landscapes of Minnesota. The color palette reflects the depths of lakes, moonlight, night forests, northern lights, and the contrasts of a snowy city.

Minnesota Timberwolves color codes

Midnight BlueHex color:#0c2340
RGB:12 35 64
CMYK:100 76 12 70
Pantone:PMS 289 C
Aurora GreenHex color:#78be20
RGB:120 190 32
CMYK:65 0 100 0
Pantone:PMS 368 C
Lake BlueHex color:#236192
RGB:35 97 146
CMYK:96 54 5 27
Pantone:PMS 647 C
Moonlight GreyHex color:#9ea2a2
RGB:158 162 162
CMYK:19 12 13 34
Pantone:PMS 422 C

FAQ

Who created the “Timberwolves” logo?

The 2017 logo was developed by Rodney Richardson, the founder of Rare Design. Peter Thornburgh created the 1996 version. Artist Mark Thompson drew the very first version of the emblem.

What color is “Minnesota Timberwolves”?

The team’s colors have picturesque names related to the nature of the state of Minnesota: Lake Blue (#005083), Moonlight Gray (#C6CFD4), Frost White (#FFFFFF), Aurora Green (#7AC143), Midnight Blue (#002B5C).

What does the “Timberwolves” logo represent?

The 2017 logo contains an image of a basketball. It’s associated with the night sky, as it serves as a backdrop for a howling wolf. Moreover, the intersecting lines on the ball form a four-pointed green star. The wolf’s head merges with the dark ring framing the drawing. At the top of the improvised frame, the club’s name is written. The letters are white, angular, and sans-serif.

Why did the “Minnesota Timberwolves” change its logo?

The Minnesota Timberwolves team changed its logo to keep up with the times. It wanted to add elements to its style associated with Minnesota and the United States in general. For example, the North Star is depicted on the flag.

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