Sonics Unveil New Look -- New Colors, Logo Signal A New Era

At least cosmetically, the Seattle SuperSonics are a new team. The club revealed its new logo today, the first such change in 20 years.

The logo, which incorporates two new colors, red and bronze, will be part of the team's new uniforms and new arena. The uniforms will be shown for the first time Nov. 2.

"We've preserved the tradition of the city of Seattle and the team," Sonic President Wally Walker said, "and at the same time come up with something brand new that clearly marks the beginning of a new era in a new building."

The logo prominently features the Space Needle, which to a lesser degree was also part of the previous logo and the team's first logo in 1967.

The team had three logos during its first seven years. Absent from logos since 1970 is any reference to the jet airplane, from which the team took its name.

"There was a purposeful attempt to convey a retro feel to the overall design so the logo has a timeless feel to it," said Tom O'Grady, head of Creative Services, a branch of NBA properties, which designed the logo.

The logo's dominant color is still green, though it's a darker version. The orbiting basketball is a reference, the club said, to its "move into the 21st century."

"We don't take lightly this change or plan to change every three or four years," said Rick Welts, head of NBA Properties. "We have every intention of this being around a very long time."