Oklahoma City Thunder Logo PNG
The emblem of this team primarily conveys boundless love for basketball. The Oklahoma City Thunder logo consists of a ball. It is the central element and the meaning of life for the franchise. There are also open dynamics—two lines are directed to the right and serve as a background for a triangular shield.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Brand overview
| Founded: | 1967 |
| Founder: | Professional Basketball Club LLC |
| Headquarters: | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S |
| Website: | nba.com |
Seattle SuperSonics is the ancestor of Oklahoma City Thunder. The club was founded in 1967 and based in Seattle, Washington.
In 2008, the Seattle SuperSonics club was sold to an investment company from Oklahoma. In the same year, the team moved to Oklahoma City. The team owner, Clay Bennett, announced that the club would change its name and be called “Oklahoma City Thunder.”
Any new NBA team from Seattle can use the Seattle SuperSonics’ name, logo, and colors. The club’s history will be divided between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the new Seattle team, named the SuperSonics (if it appears).
The name Thunder is related to the climatic features of the region. Oklahoma City is located in an unfavorable place known as Tornado Alley. This region frequently experiences storms, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. The very name Thunder is a tribute to the indigenous tribes who lived in the state of Oklahoma and called themselves Thunder.
Oklahoma is abbreviated as Okla. Rumble the Bison is the mascot of the Oklahoma City Thunder team.
Meaning and History
When the basketball club “Thunder” from Oklahoma City was called “SuperSonics” and based in Seattle, it changed six emblems. Having moved to a new state, the team chose a different name and conducted a global redesign. True, fans criticized the new logo: in a recent survey conducted in the winter of 2020, it was recognized as one of the worst in the NBA. The reason for such a low rating is the lack of graphic connection to the nickname Oklahoma City Thunder.
The team combined the orange-black and raspberry-cream colors of two Oklahoma universities or an organization, creating its mind-boggling style. Thunder could make absolutely any logo, even the simplest one, and everyone would like it. The main thing is that the residents of the indigenous state are happy to have a club playing in one of the leading leagues in the USA.
Relocation is always complex, but creating a team logo is small but pleasant. Since then, the Oklahoma City Thunder logo has become a symbol not only of the basketball club but of all of Oklahoma. Regardless of their preferences, fans from all over the state united in their love for the Thunder.
Recently, well-known basketball journalist Zach Lowe stated that the team’s logo is outdated and needs updating. And although this is just one person’s opinion, his words sparked heated debates among Oklahoma residents online over the past few days. Opponents of the update write that the logo does not matter for the Thunder’s success. They believe it should be “left alone,” as everyone is already used to it. Everyone recognizes the popular franchise by this image. But proponents say the emblem is too complex, banal, and overloaded with unnecessary details. Clay Bennett noted that the light blue color matches the state flag (which speaks of love for the team in all cities). Yellow means sunlight, and the reddish-orange shade symbolizes the sunset of the heavenly body. For some people, the value of this logo is even more precious than its appearance.
Another argument of the proponents is that creating a new logo will improve merchandising. Therefore, the team’s fans will stand in numerous queues to purchase club merchandise with the new emblem. The old form will remain in the past. But wearing an outdated logo will show that you have been a Thunder fan and have always supported the club. The updated logo could become the face of the NBA, like the emblems of the Celtics or Bulls, while the emblem will remain the same as it was designed for the team when it moved to Oklahoma.
What is Oklahoma City Thunder?
This team entered the National Basketball Association in 1967 and is now part of the Northwest Division. Previously, it was known as the “Seattle SuperSonics,” but due to the lack of money for the construction of a new stadium, it was forced to move to Oklahoma. Since then (since 2008), it has been known as the “Oklahoma City Thunder.”
1968 – 1970
In 1968, a promising new basketball team appeared in Seattle, a city in the western USA. It was named after the shuttle, the “SuperSonics.” One of the club’s earliest emblems depicted Seattle’s main attraction: the Space Needle. The observation tower is inside the ball, surrounded by a curved strip narrowing towards the end. This is the trail of the shuttle, which was gaining altitude and flew through the inscription “SEATTLE SUPERSONICS.”
1971
The 1971 logo is less conceptual. The designers left the green ball and wrote the team name in white letters in the center.
1972 – 1975
A year later, the developers returned to the cosmic theme. But they depicted the shuttle not literally but abstractly, giving the word “SONICS” the shape of a flying ship. The shuttle is heading to a planet in the form of a basketball. Above the tail of the first letter “S,” there is a reduced inscription: “SEATTLE SUPER.”
1976 – 1995
Eight years after creating the first club logo, the designers decided to diversify the color palette. After the 1976 redesign, another color appeared on the emblem—yellow. The designers colored the inside of the ball, which is half-cut and resembles a semicircular window. Behind the improvised window, the silhouettes of Seattle buildings are visible, including the recognizable top of the Space Needle. The club’s name is written in two lines below.
1996 – 2001
The 1996 logo is more colorful. The designers used several orange shades to depict the word “SONICS” in large letters. The city name is not as noticeable—written in small white font. As before, the basketball occupies a central place: with the lower part of the Space Needle, it forms the letter “I.” The background is a green inverted lateral oval with a yellow-red contour.
2002 – 2008
These six years were the last of the Seattle Sonics basketball team based in Seattle. In the last five years of the Seattle SuperSonics, the basketball players wore a multi-component logo consisting of a circle with a ball, a large white letter “S,” and a green hexagonal plate with the inscription “Seattle Sonics.”
2009 – present
In 2008, a series of major changes occurred:
- The team moved to another city.
- It was named “Thunder.”
- The world saw its debut logo, which, as principal owner Clay Bennett confessed, combined elements of other clubs’ logos: Oklahoma State Cowboys, Cowgirls, and Sooners.
There is no official version of the word “Thunder” in the name. However, two assumptions were also made. Thus, Oklahoma City is located in an area with frequent tornadoes and hurricanes, which usually accompany Thunder. Another assumption is related to the local Indians, who called themselves just that.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Interesting Facts
The Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team started in 2008, after moving from Seattle, where they were called the SuperSonics.
- Moving to Oklahoma: The team has been in Seattle since 1967 but moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, starting a new chapter.
- First Season: In their first year in Oklahoma (2008-2009), the Thunder won 27 more games than the previous year, showing they were getting better quickly.
- 2012 NBA Finals: Just four years after moving, the Thunder played in the 2012 NBA Finals with stars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Although they didn’t win, they showed they were a strong team.
- Kevin Durant MVP: Durant was the most valuable player in 2014. He thanked his team and fans in a speech, showing how close everyone was.
- Russell Westbrook’s Record: Westbrook was amazing in the 2016-2017 season, averaging a triple-double, something no one had done since 1962. He won MVP and did it again for two more seasons.
- Loud Fans: The team’s games are at the Paycom Center, known for its loud and excited fans. This makes it a tough place for other teams to play.
- Helping the Community: The Thunder works with the local community, especially through the Thunder Cares Foundation, helping with health, education, and projects.
- First Draft Pick: Their first draft pick in Oklahoma was James Harden in 2009. He, Durant, and Westbrook made a great team early on.
- Unique Uniforms: Their uniforms are blue, orange, and yellow, inspired by Oklahoma’s sunsets. They also have special ones that honor Oklahoma’s Native American culture.
- Fans Everywhere: The Thunder has fans worldwide, thanks to players like Durant, Westbrook, and Harden and their exciting style of play.
- Strong Spirit: After a terrible tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, in 2012, the team’s success in the NBA Finals brought the community together.
The Thunder quickly became a notable team in the NBA, known for their strong connection with fans, exciting games, and community support.
Font and Colors
The first name of the Oklahoma City Thunder brand, presented on September 3, 2008, contains a triangular shield with a fragment of a basketball and large white letters “OKS.” Behind the shield are two lines of light orange and blue colors. Above them is a semi-circular inscription, “THUNDER.” This word did not appear randomly: it was chosen as the club’s nickname as a tribute to the legacy of the Indians.
okc logo
THUNDER is written in elongated blue letters with serifs. The club used its stylized font for the abbreviation. The letter “OKS” gradually narrows, creating the impression that it is moving away. A similar technique can be seen in the “Seattle SuperSonics” logo from 1996 to 2001. Thanks to the dark blue contours, the white inscription looks voluminous.
The logo includes other colors: reddish-orange, yellow, and light blue. According to Clay Bennett, the first symbolizes the sunset, the second denotes the sun, and the third matches the shade of the national flag. Thus, the team owner tried to justify the choice of the palette when fans began to criticize the logo, which they believed was not bright enough.
FAQ
What does the OKC Thunder logo represent?
The OKC Thunder logo is multifaceted. In the center is a triangular shield adorned with a basketball. Two uneven lines—red and blue—are in the background. Across the shield is the word OKC, which is white, slanted, and distorted. The team’s nickname is at the top, arranged in an arch shape. It uses a blue sans-serif font.
When did the “Thunder” appear in OKC?
This National Basketball Association franchise was moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008 after the league owners approved the relocation.
Why is “Oklahoma City” called “Thunder”?
The team’s name was chosen for two reasons. First, Oklahoma City was once the headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division—a military unit known as the “Thunderbirds.” Second, this city is geographically located in Tornado Alley.
Who owns “Oklahoma City Thunder”?
As of 2021, the Oklahoma City Thunder club is owned by the Professional Basketball Club LLC, headed by American businessman Clayton Ike Bennett.