New Orleans Pelicans Logo PNG
The New Orleans Pelicans emblem’s broad scope and proud appearance are precisely conveyed by its depiction of a massive bird, a symbol of invincibility in any situation. This emblem embodies will, determination, resilience, and courage. It also reflects love for the city where the basketball club is located.
The Charlotte Hornets began in 1988 and joined the NBA in 1989. The name came from a fan vote, replacing Charlotte Spirit and referencing the city’s role in the American Revolution. The early identity drew attention with an unusual mix of turquoise and purple, a look later echoed by teams such as the Vancouver Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, San Jose Sharks, Florida Marlins, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Through the 1990s, the team built a strong local following, though structural issues began to develop. By the early 2000s, disagreements between owner George Shinn and city officials over a new arena led to the team’s relocation. In 2002, the franchise moved to New Orleans, retaining the Hornets name despite losing its original historical context. The color scheme remained largely intact, with gold added and a yellow alternate uniform introduced in 2004.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina forced a temporary move to Oklahoma City. For two seasons, the team operated as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, adopting an identity that referenced OKC. In 2007, the franchise returned to New Orleans and updated its branding, adding symbols tied to local culture, including the fleur-de-lis and references to NOLA.
In 2013, the team rebranded as the New Orleans Pelicans, reflecting the Louisiana identity. The Hornets’ name returned to Charlotte, restoring the brand’s connection to its original city.
Meaning and History
The New Orleans Pelicans, formerly the Charlotte Hornets, once wore a cartoonish hornet as its emblem. But this didn’t last long: In 2014, the team adopted a new symbol that looks more modern and matches its current name. The team’s new owner, Tom Benson, revamped the team’s image, ushering in a modern era in Louisiana basketball history.
What is the New Orleans Pelicans?
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the five teams in the Southwest Division (NBA). It began in 2002 after the “Charlotte Hornets” relocated to New Orleans. Initially, the team was called the “New Orleans Hornets” and adopted its current nickname in 2013.
1989 – 2002
The “Charlotte Hornets” emblem depicted a blue hornet with a sharp sting. The image is anthropomorphic, as the insect has arms and legs. It also includes sports-themed elements: white sneakers and a brown ball. The logo is associated with a basketball club. The inscription “CHARLOTTE HORNETS” serves the same function, divided into two parts and surrounding the drawing at the top and bottom.
2003 – 2008
In the 2002-2003 season, the franchise moved to Louisiana and was renamed the “New Orleans Hornets.” After the move, the emblem remained largely unchanged: the designers only repainted the ball yellow, updated the city name, changed the font, and made the letter “H” on the Hornets’ chest more noticeable.
2009 – 2013
Changes to the logo from 2009 to 2013 improved the graphics, while the layout and design were carried over from the previous logo. In 2009, the cartoonish hornet resembled the official team mascot, Hugo the Hornet. The blue color became darker. The drawing’s blue and navy blue colors became brighter, and the ball acquired more natural contours and color. The only change was replacing the “Charlotte H” inscription on the hornet’s chest with “NOLA” (“New Orleans”).
2014 – 2023
In December 2012, the club announced a name change to the “Pelicans.” The rebranding allowed the club to separate from the franchise that originated in Charlotte and moved to New Orleans. The nickname “Hornets” returned to its historical homeland and became the foundation for another team of the same name. The New Orleans Pelicans debuted in the 2013-2014 season with an updated logo, completely different from retro versions. The new colors were dark blue, gold, red, and white.
Moreover, the basketball team’s symbol became the pelican. The New Orleans Pelicans emblem has an unconventional shape and a blue background, with the inscription “New Orleans” written in white at the top. Slightly below is a white pelican head and gold wings. The animal holds a golden ball in its red beak. At the bottom, the word “Pelicans” is written in white letters in a red semicircle. A golden outline also frames the entire New Orleans Pelicans logo.
2023 – today
Font and Colors
The modern club sign contains the head and wings of a pelican (viewed from the front), a golden basketball, a white inscription “NEW ORLEANS” on a blue background, and a red semicircle with the word “PELICANS.” Above is a red fleur-de-lis.
The branding studio RARE developed the design. When choosing a new concept, specialists based it on the fact that the pelican embodies the state of Louisiana and is found on its seal and state flag. To make the drawing look harmonious, artists emphasized the wings. At the same time, they avoided the bird’s profile, as they did not want to draw attention to the massive beak.
The phrase “NEW ORLEANS” is written in a stylized old font. There are even more serifs than expected: they are at the ends of the letters and in the middle. The word “PELICANS” is set in a simple sans-serif font.
The colors follow the club’s official palette. Each color has a specific meaning and appears on the New Orleans flag. For instance, red symbolizes the blood vessels under the pelican’s throat. Gold and dark blue complement the emblem.
FAQ
What does the New Orleans Pelicans logo represent?
The logo reflects the club’s name. In the center are the head and wings of a pelican holding a ball in its beak. Above is a decorative arch with the words “NEW ORLEANS” and swirls. Designers used a serif font for the text, styled to look like old signs. At the bottom is a red semicircle labeled “PELICANS.”
Did the “Pelicans” change their logo?
As of 2021, the “New Orleans Pelicans” have not changed their logo since 2012-2013. The last rebranding involved updating the name when the team received the nickname Pelicans.
What is the current slogan of the New Orleans Pelicans team?
Since 2019, the “New Orleans Pelicans” team has used the motto “Won’t Bow Down.” They introduced it at the start of the season.
Who is on the “New Orleans Pelicans” team?
The team roster for the 2021-2022 season includes Jose Alvarado, Devonte Graham, Josh Hart, Jackson Hayes, Willy Hernangomez, Dalton Hommes, Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones, Kira Lewis Jr., Marcos Louzada Silva, Naji Marshall, Trey Murphy III, Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple, Jonas Valanciunas, Zion Williamson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.