The Oklahoma City Thunder, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, is a professional basketball team that has gone through significant changes in both its identity and location since its establishment in 1967. After relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, the team adopted the "Thunder" name and introduced a new logo that reflects the region's identity and history.

Early Years as Seattle SuperSonics (1967–2008)

The original logo for the Seattle SuperSonics (the team’s name until 2008) was designed in 1967. It featured a green basketball with a stylized orbit around it, ending with a rocket, symbolizing the team's connection to space and Seattle's iconic Space Needle. The logo's color palette was green and white, evoking a sense of energy and modernity.

Over the years, the design evolved. In 1970, the logo was simplified to focus on the green basketball with a white wordmark. In 1975, the logo gained a yellow hue, and by 1995, the design switched to a green and brown color palette, with the bold “Seattle” wordmark becoming the focal point. The final logo in 2001 for the SuperSonics was a traditional crest, marking a shift to a more formal and established look.

Relocation and Rebranding to Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–Present)

In 2008, after the franchise moved to Oklahoma City, the team rebranded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The new name was chosen due to Oklahoma’s location in Tornado Alley and the presence of the Thunderbirds division of the U.S. Army.

The new logo was unveiled on September 3, 2008, and broke from the past entirely—no elements from the SuperSonics’ logo were carried over. Instead, the logo design was inspired by local sports teams and featured a shield shape. The word "Thunder" is placed above the logo, while the letters "OKC" sit over a partial basketball, symbolizing the team’s sport and Oklahoma City's unique identity.

Logo Design and Font

The font used for the word "Thunder" in the logo is Industria Bold, a display sans-serif typeface created by Neville Brody. It adds a bold, modern touch to the overall logo, reinforcing the team's energetic and dynamic image.

Color Palette

The Oklahoma City Thunder logo features a vibrant and distinctive color palette, with the following shades:

• Thunder Blue: A bright blue that represents the energy and vitality of the team. (Pantone PMS 285, HEX #007AC1)
• Sunset: A fiery red, evoking the passion and intensity of the team. (Pantone PMS Warm Red C, HEX #EF3B24)
• Thunder Navy: A deep navy, providing contrast and a sense of stability. (Pantone PMS 282, HEX #002D62)
• Yellow: A warm, bright yellow, bringing vibrancy and optimism to the design. (Pantone PMS 1235 C, HEX #FDBB30)

Overall, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s logo and branding combine a sense of local pride, modern aesthetics, and the dynamic energy of basketball. The shield design and the striking color palette are a fitting representation of the team's values, and the logo has become iconic in the NBA since its introduction in 2008.