Sixers Officially Announce a Return to the Old Classic Logo
It's official. In a move that has been anticipated for months, the Sixers have announced today that they have "re-launched their brand identity" and are going back to the classic 76ers logo worn by former champions like Julius Erving. While the new official uniforms won't be unveiled for a few more months, we're told they'll be an updated interpretation of the
throwback unis they wore this year. The return to the classic logo is a smart move by the organization. Recent iterations of the Sixers logo had lost the timelessness of previous styles, with gold and swooshes replacing strong and simple lettering. And heck, if the salary cap system won't let you shed old contracts, at least you can change the on-court appearance in the most literal sense.
In terms of merchandising, the move is a no brainer. Personally, I've never purchased any Sixers gear bearing their most recent logo, but I've gone out of my way to track down attire with the retro feel to it.
The announcement was made today at the Comcast Center downtown. The700Level.com reader Nick tweeted the below photo of the event.
Smart move on the Sixers part all around. What are your thoughts on the change?
Some other quotes from important Philadelphians on the change:
Governor Ed Rendell - Pennsylvania Governor
“The Sixers are one of the most storied franchises in the NBA, and the new logo represents the very best of the Sixers tradition. It’s great to see it making a comeback.”
Mayor Michael Nutter - City of Philadelphia Mayor
"Seeing the return of the 76ers old logo with the red, white, and blue colors brings me back to the time of growing up watching Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Dr. J, and those great teams. I am excited now, as I was then, for Sixers basketball."
Julius Erving - Philadelphia 76ers | 1976 – 1987
“I always felt the Sixers were the patriotic team. Boston always had the parquet floor. You’d go to L.A. and everything was gold, white, with a touch of blue. Our thing was red, white and blue. This floor reaps of that when you look at our logos. We’re true red-blooded American by design.”
- as told to NBA Entertainment
Bobby Jones - Philadelphia 76ers | 1978 – 1986
“I am happy the Sixers are going back to the ‘old' logo. I like it because it is clear and clean and a simple representation of the historical value of the City of Philadelphia to this nation. It also represents some very good teams that have played under that logo.”
I have no problem with the White jersey the used durign the season, but i hope they dont use the Red jersey that Jordan held up showing his kids in a video, that thing was UGLY!!
Posted by: matt | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 02:27 PM
red, blue, gold, white don't matter... they're still losers.
Posted by: danny-o | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 02:33 PM
I approve of this change.
Posted by: Steve | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Jason Schmidt is definitely the team's bitch - he's constantly at these kind of PR announcements
Posted by: Hone | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 02:45 PM
They should make the uniforms have magic powers that turn them invisible.... so I don't have to watch them anymore.
Posted by: Haywood Jablmomi | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Yeah, the classic logo and great is all, but I only got a glimpse of it. World B. Free's jacket nearly blinded me at the press conference. That pic doesn't do its brightness justice...
Posted by: Wing2J | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 02:47 PM
This is great - I haven't wanted anything with a new sixers logo on it, either. And for the record, I loved the red with the solid white SIXERS across the front. This:
http://yfrog.com/4xcharlesbarkleyphotomidj
was where it was at.
That said, this team is not compelling. A year later, I'd like to officially declare that I told you so. :p
Posted by: j13 | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:01 PM
amen.
now get rid of that stupid rabbit and bring back big shot!
Posted by: Poster Nutbag | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:29 PM
The black jerseys were an abomination from the start.
Posted by: Scott | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:31 PM
does that mean we're bringing this back too?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAP2nmo8al8
Posted by: nick | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:35 PM
WHO GOT A T-SHIRT TODAY??? I GOT A T-SHIRT! WHOOOOOO!!!
Posted by: joey wade | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:37 PM
love it. hope they go back to the PHILA across the chest jersey . love that one.
Posted by: Ryan H. | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Now I want the Eagles in kelly green. And I want Holiday Inn to bring back their retro logo.
Posted by: Caroline - Philadelphia Tourism | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 04:18 PM
damn, now the only hat i've worn for the past 5 years is no longer retro.
Posted by: adam | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 04:52 PM
One of the best things to happen in a while... definitely buying one of the new jerseys... probably Thad's
Posted by: T | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Great day definitely Enrico
I have yet to hear a fan saying that the black & gold crap was better
(which could lead us to a question: why in the hell they changed?
"I would never have gone away from it," said Stefanski, a Philly native. Preach on)
Posted by: Ricky - Sixers4guidos | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Here was the biggest problem: no color identity. When going to a Sixers game, something that was very noticeable was that no one knew what to wear. They're the third/fourth most important team in town (depending on who you ask) so not everyone owns Sixers gear. So you could conceivably wear any of FIVE colors to the game. This makes for a very confusing crowd. When I see other teams on television, there seems to be some sort of unity in the crowd, something Sixers fans are lacking.
Posted by: jtq | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 08:23 PM
i might back into hoops again...
Posted by: MPR529 | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 08:46 PM
check out this awesome press conference rap starring AI. TO makes a boring appearance at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exOxUAntx8I&feature=haxa_popt00us0d
Posted by: jivfly | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 09:20 PM
good to see the sixers have their priorities in order.
no point guard.
no 2 guard.
no spot for thaddeus young.
and sam dalembert is still taking up a roster spot on this team.
BUT WE HAVE A NEW LOGO!
Posted by: dps | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 10:35 PM
There has to be people in the stands before we organize what to wear
Posted by: jock | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 09:42 AM
"updated interpretation" eh? the return to the old logo and colors is great. but when are we going to see the jerseys cut like they were back then and the shorts worn somewhere above the knee. and while you're at it, how about making the jerseys less baggy?
Posted by: jfd | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 11:50 AM
A winning product on the court would go well with the return of the retro jersey.My only problem will be seeing Samuel Dalembert and Willie Green disgracing the retro Uni's,on a full time basis.
Posted by: PhillyGuy | Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 01:49 PM
I have been praying for this since the day they painted that black and gold monstrosity on center court. This organization had the best logo in sports, and switched to the worst logo in sports for so fucking long. Man, this news made me so happy.
Posted by: Francis | Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 12:54 AM