Founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, the team was one of the original franchises of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA. The Warriors relocated to San Francisco in 1962 and eventually rebranded as the Golden State Warriors in 1971 to represent the entire state of California.
With stars like Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Chris Mullin, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the franchise has earned multiple NBA titles—most recently in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. The Warriors are widely recognized for their modern style of play, centered on three-point shooting and fluid ball movement.
Golden State Warriors Logo Evolution
1947 – 1951
In 1946, a new basketball franchise took root in Pennsylvania under the name “Philadelphia Warriors.” Just a year after their founding, in 1947, the team introduced its first official logo—a stylized depiction that reflected the era’s aesthetic preferences and cultural influences.
The emblem featured a cartoon-style illustration of a Native American character engaged in a slam dunk. His figure was adorned with a traditional feathered headdress, adding a sense of identity and movement. The visual palette was minimal yet impactful: yellow was used for the basketball and feather, white for the character’s skin tone, and purple for the outlines. Above the image, the word “Warriors” appeared in a playful handwritten script, also in yellow, lending the design a sense of energy and approachability.
This early logo set the tone for the team’s visual identity and remains a fascinating piece of NBA branding history.
1952 – 1962
During their decade-long tenure in Philadelphia, the Warriors basketball team introduced a refined version of their original logo. The redesigned emblem took on a minimalist approach, rendered entirely in a monochromatic blue outline without any filled colors. Designers reinterpreted the proportions of the elements, creating a more streamlined and modern visual identity.
Notably, the trajectory of the basketball was illustrated in a stylized arc that formed the shape of a “W,” symbolizing the word “Warriors.” At the center of the composition, the team’s full name—“Philadelphia Warriors”—was prominently displayed in a clean, all-blue design.
1963 – 1969
After relocating to a new state, the team introduced a refreshed visual identity under the name “San Francisco Warriors.” The redesigned logo featured a prominent large circle as its base, with a smaller concentric circle nested within it.
At the heart of the design was a detailed depiction of a Native American headdress. Encircling the central yellow area, the full team name appeared in blue serif lettering against a white background ring, creating a clean and balanced composition.
1970 – 1971
Following the move to San Francisco, the Warriors adopted a striking logo featuring the Golden Gate Bridge and the nickname “The City.” This logo became iconic and remains a fan favorite.
This era marked the team’s rebranding from Philadelphia to San Francisco and brought a sense of local pride.
1972 – 1975
The logo featured a blue map of California with a star indicating the team’s location in San Francisco. The state was encircled by the team name, now “Golden State Warriors.”
This marked the first time the team was branded as “Golden State” instead of a specific city, signaling statewide representation.
1976 – 1988
For 12 years, basketball players from California proudly wore this emblem as a symbol of their identity. Eventually, designers introduced a fresh look by enclosing the central image within a circular shape, stylized with lines to resemble a basketball.
Along with this redesign, the color scheme was updated—replacing the original orange with a vibrant yellow to give the logo a brighter, more modern appeal.
1989 – 1997
In 1989, the Golden State Warriors unveiled an updated emblem that offered a sleeker and more polished interpretation of its predecessor. The circular backdrop reverted to a vibrant orange, reinforcing the team’s energetic identity.
Meanwhile, the typography was noticeably refined—the lettering adopted a flatter profile and became significantly bolder, enhancing readability and giving the logo a more assertive and modern appearance.
1998 – 2010
The new design retained the California map but added a lightning bolt and a stylized warrior face, symbolizing power and energy. The lightning bolt brought a more aggressive tone, aligning with the fast-paced identity of the team during this era.
2011 – 2019
The franchise made a major pivot back to simplicity and tradition. The new logo paid homage to the 1960s “The City” version but featured the Bay Bridge instead of the Golden Gate Bridge. The clean lines and flat design reflected modern design trends.
This redesign came during the Stephen Curry era and coincided with their rise to dominance. It restored fan connection to the team’s roots.
2020 – Present
The current logo is a refined version of the 2011 mark. It features a more detailed and symmetrical Bay Bridge illustration, richer hues of blue and gold, and improved typeface balance.
- Color Palette:
- Royal Blue: HEX #1D428A, RGB (29, 66, 138)
- Golden Yellow: HEX #FFC72C, RGB (255, 199, 44)
- Style: Geometric, balanced, and scalable
- Typography: Clean sans-serif font, precisely aligned
This version reflects a timeless yet modern identity, well-suited for digital and print media.
Final thoughts,
The Golden State Warriors have evolved both on and off the court, with their logo reflecting cultural shifts, branding trends, and the team’s own journey. From cartoonish beginnings to geometric excellence, the Warriors logo is now a symbol of modern sports branding done right.
Their use of consistent colors, sharp typography, and historic callbacks connects deeply with fans, making their identity both distinctive and timeless.
Reference: [1]