The image provided is a core component of the Philadelphia 76ers’ brand identity. It features a stylized number “76” in the team’s signature red, white, and blue colors. The number “7” is rendered in red, and cleverly integrated above it is a single white star. The number “6” is in blue and nestles against the “7”. This iconic “76” mark is the central element of the team’s primary logo.
The full primary logo places this “76” emblem inside a blue circle. Encircling the emblem are 13 white stars, representing the original thirteen American colonies. The word “PHILADELPHIA” is written in a classic block font at the bottom of the circle, grounding the design. The overall aesthetic is clean, modern, and deeply rooted in American history, reflecting the team’s name and home city.
This agency was tasked with refreshing the team’s identity by looking back at its history. They focused on refining the classic elements of the 1977-1997 logo, creating a look that felt both nostalgic and modern. Their work resulted in the current family of logos, including the primary roundel, the standalone “76” mark (as seen in the uploaded image), and various secondary and alternate logos.
The Philadelphia 76ers are owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a leading sports and entertainment company. Founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, HBSE has a diverse portfolio of major sports franchises, venues, and investments. The group is known for its data-driven approach to team management and business operations.
Beyond the 76ers, HBSE’s portfolio includes the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Delaware Blue Coats (the 76ers’ NBA G League affiliate), and the Utica Comets (the Devils’ AHL affiliate). The company also holds a stake in the English Premier League football club Crystal Palace F.C. and manages several prominent sports venues. HBSE is a major player in the global sports market, focused on building winning teams and creating world-class fan experiences.
The Philadelphia 76ers, often informally called the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. The franchise is one of the oldest in the NBA and has a rich history that includes three NBA championships.
The organization’s roots trace back to the Syracuse Nationals, a team founded in 1946. After moving to Philadelphia in 1963, they became the 76ers, filling the void left by the Philadelphia Warriors, who had relocated to San Francisco. The team represents the city of Philadelphia, a city with deep historical significance in the United States, and its brand is heavily influenced by this patriotic heritage. The 76ers are a cornerstone franchise of the NBA, known for legendary players like Wilt Chamberlain, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Allen Iverson, and Joel Embiid.
History
The logo’s history begins with the franchise’s move from Syracuse to Philadelphia in 1963. The new owners held a contest to rename the team. The winning name, “76ers,” was suggested by Walt Stalberg in honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776. To accompany the new name, a logo was needed that captured this patriotic spirit. The initial design featured a simple red “76” with 13 blue stars arranged in a circle above the numbers.
This design was refined in 1977, creating the version that would become iconic. The “7” and “6” were integrated into a single emblem, a basketball was added behind it, and the word “76ers” was written below. This logo defined the team’s golden era with Julius Erving and Moses Malone. In 1997, during the Allen Iverson era, the team underwent a radical redesign, introducing a new logo with black, gold, and silver, and a more aggressive, stylized look. However, fan nostalgia for the classic red, white, and blue led the team to return to its roots, culminating in the 2015 redesign that refined the beloved 1977 logo into its current modern, clean form.
Design
The current 76ers logo is a masterclass in symbolic design, with every element holding a specific meaning tied to American history and the city of Philadelphia.
- The “76” Emblem: This is the heart of the logo. It directly references the year 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, making the city the birthplace of the United States.
- The 13 Stars: The circle of 13 stars in the primary logo represents the 13 original American colonies that united to form the nation. This reinforces the historical theme and the idea of unity.
- The Single Star: The star placed above the “7” acts as an apostrophe for “76” (as in ’76) and also adds to the patriotic motif.
- The Circular Shape: The roundel design gives the logo a classic, timeless feel, similar to a seal or a commemorative coin, which fits the historical theme perfectly.
Logo Evolution
The 76ers’ logo has evolved several times, with each version reflecting the era of the team.
- 1963–1977: The original logo. A simple red “76” with a halo of 13 blue stars above it.
- 1977–1997: The classic era logo. The “76” is enclosed within a basketball, rendered in red. The team name “76ers” is written below in a custom blue font. This is the design most associated with the Dr. J era.
- 1997–2009: The “Iverson Era” rebrand. A complete departure, this logo featured a more aggressive, cartoonish style with a gold basketball streaking across a red, white, blue, and black emblem. The font was jagged and modern.
- 2009–2015: A transitional phase. The team brought back the classic red, white, and blue colors and the original 1977 logo but placed it inside a dark blue square with “PHILADELPHIA” written above.
- 2015–Present: The current logo. A modern and clean reinterpretation of the classic 1977 design. The basketball was removed from the primary mark, and the “76” emblem was placed inside a circle with 13 stars.
Color
The color palette of the Philadelphia 76ers is intentionally patriotic and directly mirrors the colors of the American flag.
- Red: Represents hardiness and valor.
- White: Symbolizes purity and innocence.
- Blue: Represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
By using this red, white, and blue scheme, the team creates an immediate and powerful link to its name and the history of its city. The colors are timeless and carry a weight and significance that goes beyond just sports branding.
Font
The typography used in the 76ers branding is largely custom Philadelphia 76ers Logo download. The iconic “76” is a unique piece of lettering, not a standard font. Its characters are designed to interlock perfectly and create a memorable and balanced mark.
The wordmark “PHILADELPHIA” in the primary logo uses a bold, all-caps, sans-serif font. The choice of a simple, strong font like this is deliberate; it provides a sense of stability and tradition without distracting from the main emblem. It is similar to classic slab serif or block fonts, chosen for clarity and a timeless feel.
Symbol
The symbolism of the 76ers logo is arguably one of the most direct and meaningful in all of professional sports.
- The Number 76: This is the primary symbol, representing 1776, the year of America’s birth. It immediately anchors the team’s identity not just to a city, but to a pivotal moment in world history that took place in that city.
- The Stars: The stars are a direct symbol of the states. The 13 stars in the primary logo explicitly represent the original 13 colonies, celebrating Philadelphia’s role as the meeting place for the Founding Fathers and the first capital of the United States.
Stories
A fun piece of trivia is how the team got its name. When the Syracuse Nationals were purchased and moved to Philadelphia in 1963, the new owner, Irv Kosloff, wanted a name that was unique to the city. A contest was held, and over 500 names were submitted. The winner was Walter Stalberg, who suggested the “76ers” name. In addition to winning a trip to the West Coast to see the team play the Warriors, his suggestion gave the franchise one of the most fitting and enduring names in sports history.
In the 2015 rebrand, the team introduced a secondary logo featuring a snake wrapped around a skull with the date “1776”. This was a direct reference to Benjamin Franklin’s famous “Join, or Die” political cartoon, which depicted a snake cut into segments representing the colonies. The logo, often paired with the slogan “Join the Sons of Ben,” was a huge hit with fans as it dug even deeper into Philadelphia’s revolutionary history, connecting the team’s fighting spirit to the rebellious spirit of the nation’s founders.
