The Atlanta Hawks, a prominent NBA team, has undergone several name and location changes since its inception. However, one element that has remained a constant is its logo, which has consistently featured the visual metaphor of a hawk. This emblem has evolved alongside the team’s history, reflecting the club’s growth and identity.

Atlanta Hawks Logo History

Founded in 1946, the Atlanta Hawks were initially known as the Buffalo Bisons before relocating and changing their name multiple times. The team’s current identity was solidified in 1968, and the logo has been redesigned several times to keep up with the evolving brand.

Origins: 1946–1951 – Tri-Cities Blackhawks

The team’s first logo was introduced in 1946 when it was called the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. This initial design featured a turquoise basketball with bold black detailing and lettering, with the team's name prominently displayed in the center. The font used was a strong serif style, symbolizing confidence and tradition.

Transition: 1951–1955 – Milwaukee Hawks

In 1951, the team moved to Milwaukee and adopted the name "Milwaukee Hawks." This shift in location was accompanied by a redesign of the logo. The new emblem depicted a flying hawk clutching a basketball, rendered in the team’s signature turquoise and black color palette. The wordmark was now in a solid sans-serif font, placed in an arch beneath the emblem.

New Identity: 1955–1957 – St. Louis Hawks

When the Hawks relocated to St. Louis in 1955, the logo was updated once again. This time, the flying hawk was shown with its wings spread wide, holding a basketball. The color scheme was simplified to black and cream, giving the logo a more monochromatic and streamlined look.

A More Playful Look: 1957–1968

In 1957, the logo was further reimagined with a caricature of a hawk wearing the team’s uniform and holding a basketball. The bird was drawn in full, facing to the right, and the logo adopted a red and white color palette. This playful design was accompanied by a bold sans-serif wordmark that added a professional touch.

The Atlanta Era Begins: 1968–1969

In 1968, the team relocated to Atlanta and adopted the name “Atlanta Hawks.” The logo was initially unchanged but was presented in a monochrome version with bolder contours. This design marked the beginning of a new chapter for the team.

A Stronger, More Dynamic Look: 1969–1972

In 1969, the logo was redesigned to feature a more dynamic and powerful hawk, now depicted in motion, running with a basketball. Two color variations were created: a white bird with blue and red contours, and a red bird with a white jersey and brown basketball.

A Modern Twist: 1970–1972

The logo was again refreshed in 1970, featuring a minimalist circular emblem with a stylized hawk’s head facing right. This modernized design was paired with a custom sans-serif font for the wordmark, contributing to a clean, professional look.

Redesign and Refinement: 1972–1995

The iconic minimalist red badge featuring the hawk’s profile inside a circular frame was introduced in 1972. This emblem remained a hallmark of the Atlanta Hawks’ visual identity for decades, with only slight refinements. The wordmark, presented in an elegant serif font, added a touch of sophistication.

Bold and Detailed: 1995–2007

In 1995, the Hawks unveiled a new logo featuring a detailed red flying hawk clutching a basketball. This design was characterized by sharp lines and a striking red, yellow, and brown color scheme. A secondary version of the logo focused on the hawk’s profile.

A More Modern Look: 2007–2015

In 2007, the Hawks’ logo underwent another update, replacing the yellow and brown elements with blue and gray to create a fresher, more contemporary aesthetic. The wordmark was also updated to a modern typeface, giving the logo a more professional and elegant appearance.

Streamlined and Refined: 2015–2020

The 2015 redesign reintroduced the minimalist badge from 1970, refining its details and enhancing the boldness of the red bird’s head, which was now framed by a red outline with white and red contours. The wordmark was also updated, rounding out the logo’s clean and modern look.

Present Day: 2020–Today

The 2020 update introduced a deeper shade of red, creating stronger contrast between the background and the white elements. The refined emblem gave the Atlanta Hawks’ logo a more powerful and dynamic appearance, perfectly representing the team's strength and energy.

The Unique Font of the Atlanta Hawks

The font used in the Atlanta Hawks logo is just as distinctive as the emblem itself. The sharp edges of certain letters, such as “A,” “B,” “E,” and “K,” are not only visually striking but also symbolic. These elements are designed to evoke the sharp beak of a hawk, creating a harmonious visual connection between the logo’s typography and the bird imagery.

Color Palette

• Hawks Red
  Pantone: PMS 186 C
  HEX: #E03A3E
  RGB: (225, 68, 52)
  CMYK: (0, 91, 76, 6)
• Volt Green
  Pantone: PMS 382 C
  HEX: #C1D32F
  RGB: (196, 214, 0)
  CMYK: (29, 2, 100, 0)
• Hawks Charcoal
  Pantone: PMS 426 C
  HEX: #26282A
  RGB: (38, 40, 42)
  CMYK: (73, 65, 62, 67)