14 ’90s Sports Team Logos That Have Been Retired
These logos once defined entire fan eras, but time and marketing moved on.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
In the ’90s, team logos weren’t just branding tools, they were pop culture artifacts. Many franchises took risks with wild colors, mascots, and abstract designs to grab attention in a crowded market. While these logos may be retired, they remain frozen in memory, representing an unapologetically bold chapter in sports history.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997 “Bucco Bruce” Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
“Bucco Bruce,” with his feathered hat and sly wink, was more pirate party than football ferocity. He was the face of the Bucs from 1976 until the team rebranded in 1997, adopting a darker, more intimidating skull and swords design. Bruce still has a cult following, but the team left him behind as they chased a grittier identity.
2. Vancouver Grizzlies (1995–2001 Original Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
Before relocating to Memphis, the Vancouver Grizzlies sported a roaring grizzly gripping a basketball in its claws. The bold teal and copper color scheme was pure ’90s flair and impossible to miss. When the team moved south, the logo didn’t make the trip.
3. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1993–2006 Duck Mask Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
Inspired by a Disney movie, the original logo showed a goalie mask shaped like a duck’s face crossing two hockey sticks. It was fun, quirky, and unapologetically different, but the team rebranded to the Anaheim Ducks and dropped the cartoonish imagery in 2006. Still, it remains a fan favorite among nostalgic collectors.
4. Phoenix Coyotes (1996–2003 Kachina Coyote Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
This abstract, jagged-lined coyote wearing traditional Native patterns was artsy, risky, and unlike anything else in pro hockey. While Arizona sports fans had mixed feelings, it stood out during its short-lived prime. In 2003, the franchise opted for a more conventional coyote head.
5. Toronto Raptors (1995–2008 Original Dino Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
The red velociraptor dribbling a basketball in a purple jersey screamed 1990s aesthetic. Created in the middle of the Jurassic Park craze, the cartoonish look fit the times but aged awkwardly. The Raptors eventually dropped the dino for a sleeker, more mature logo.
6. Houston Oilers (Retired in 1996)
Image from Wikipedia
The Oilers’ derrick logo, simple and iconic, symbolized the grit of Houston’s blue-collar roots. When the franchise moved to Tennessee, they became the Titans and left the name and logo behind. It still holds a cherished place in throwback culture.
7. Milwaukee Bucks (1993–2006 Purple Buck Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
The smiling green buck inside a triangle with purple accents had a unique yet somewhat goofy look. It was part of a broader shift toward vibrant colorways in ’90s sports branding. The team later returned to forest green and cream, swapping whimsy for tradition.
8. Golden State Warriors (1997–2010 Lightning Bolt Warrior Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
This logo featured a bold warrior figure launching a lightning bolt, sitting atop a deep navy and orange palette. It represented a dramatic visual departure for the team, embracing a comic-book vibe. Golden State eventually pivoted back to a cleaner, city-based design.
9. Atlanta Hawks (1995–2007 Hawk Clutching Ball Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
A menacing red hawk gripping a basketball mid-flight served as Atlanta’s emblem throughout the late ’90s. It was intense, aggressive, and a major break from their earlier looks. In the late 2000s, they toned things down with a simplified bird head crest.
10. New Jersey Nets (1997–2012 Shield Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
Before becoming the Brooklyn Nets, the franchise used a busy shield design with a basketball and hoop motif. The gray, navy, and red combo was textbook 1990s NBA branding. Once the team moved, they embraced a clean black-and-white look and ditched the busy visuals.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (1994–2003 Black and Orange “CAVS” Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
This design showed the word “CAVS” with a hoop running through the “V” in orange and black hues. It embraced a grunge-era vibe but didn’t age well with the times. The team shifted to a sword-based logo and burgundy tones after 2003.
12. Charlotte Hornets (1988–2002 Hugo the Hornet Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
The original logo featured Hugo, a teal hornet with white sneakers and a lot of sass, spinning a basketball. It was perfectly playful and beloved in Charlotte before the franchise became the Bobcats. When the Hornets name returned years later, the logo came back updated.
13. Detroit Pistons (1996–2001 Flaming Horse Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
The ’90s Pistons tried to inject horsepower into their brand with a teal logo featuring a flaming robotic horse. It was bold and totally different from their traditional red-white-blue palette. Fans didn’t love it, and the team reverted to classic soon after.
14. Anaheim Angels (1997–2001 “Walt Disney Wing” Logo)
Image from Wikipedia
Owned by Disney at the time, the Angels went full fantasy with a stylized “A” topped with wings. It matched the whimsical branding seen throughout the franchise’s ballpark experience. Eventually, the club returned to a more traditional and dignified insignia.