For most of its history, the logo of the professional baseball team Oakland Athletics has prominently featured either an elephant mascot or the iconic letter “A.” The “A” insignia has been the primary focus since the team’s move to Oakland in 1968, symbolizing the club's identity and establishing a strong visual association with the Athletics franchise.

Meaning and History

Oakland Athletics Logo History

The Oakland Athletics’ branding evolved from its origins as the Philadelphia Athletics (established in 1901) and the Kansas City Athletics (from 1955). Throughout its journey, the team maintained the recurring elephant mascot while also refining its logos with variations of the letter “A.” Each design reflects its era, blending tradition with modernization.

1901

The Athletics' first logo was a bold blue serif letter “A” with smooth curves and strong lines, evoking stability and a classic aesthetic.

1902 – 1919

The design of the “A” became more refined and elegant. It featured a curved right bar and elongated, wavy serifs, giving it a distinguished look.

1920

The elephant mascot made its first appearance in the form of a simple blue silhouette. The animal, walking to the left, complemented the blue "A."

1921 – 1923

The elephant gained a more detailed and realistic style, though the blue “A” remained a constant element.

1924 – 1927

The elephant's design turned monochrome, while the “A” shifted between pale blue and white backgrounds.

1928 – 1930

For a brief period, the elephant emblem was removed, and the blue “A” returned to prominence in a lighter, more vibrant shade.

1930 – 1938

The elephant logo was reintroduced, now without the letter “A.” This version featured a bold blue outline of the animal, emphasizing simplicity and modernity.

1939 – 1953

New colors—red and gray—were added to the elephant logo, which now included a baseball in its design. The "A" was still used alongside this variant during this time.

1954

The elephant was depicted standing on a baseball, holding a bat in its trunk. This redesign used a darker blue and red, reflecting a sense of power and professionalism.

1955 – 1962

With the team's move to Kansas City, the logo was slightly updated. The elephant was now red, and the baseball's stitches became black.

1963 – 1967

A significant change occurred with the introduction of overlapping “KC” initials in green and yellow, signaling a fresh start for the Kansas City Athletics.

1968 – 1982

After the team relocated to Oakland, the logo featured the iconic “A’s” lettering in green on a yellow baseball. This version included a playful touch, such as white cleats and the phrase “The Swingin’” above the letter.

1983 – 1992

The “A’s” remained central in the logo, now placed within a circular green frame with “Oakland Athletics” written around it in yellow.

1993 – Present

The current design emphasizes Kelly green as the dominant color, with a yellow-outlined “A’s” placed on a white background. The green outer circle features “Oakland Athletics” in bold white lettering, exuding clarity and elegance.

Font

The Oakland Athletics’ logos often utilize a sans serif font that resembles Gill Sans Bold Condensed, notable for its clean and professional appearance.

Colors

The team's official palette includes Kelly green, yellow, and white. The shift to green and yellow in 1963 was a bold move by then-owner Charlie Finley, who opted to stand out from the standard blue-and-red combinations typically seen in sports branding.

These vibrant colors symbolize the energy and tradition of the Athletics, making the logo an enduring representation of the team.