Did the Clippers Change Their Logo? A Before-and-After Review
Yes, the LA Clippers changed their logo. Here is what replaced the 2015 mark, how to tell the versions apart, and what that means for anyone sourcing vector logo files.
Contents
The short answer
Yes. The LA Clippers introduced a new brand identity in 2024, ahead of the team's move into its new arena for the 2024–25 NBA season. The new primary logo replaced the mark the franchise had used since 2015. Anyone looking for current Clippers artwork should treat files made before mid-2024 as the previous identity, not the current one.
Which logos are being compared
This comparison covers two primary marks. The 'before' is the 2015 logo, adopted early in Steve Ballmer's ownership. It is a circular basketball-style emblem with 'LA' inside, paired with a 'Clippers' wordmark in a red, blue and black palette. The 'after' is the 2024 primary logo, which returned to the nautical clipper-ship theme behind the team name. Earlier Clippers marks from the San Diego and pre-2015 Los Angeles eras exist, but they are not part of this before-and-after comparison.
| Aspect | 2015 identity (before) | 2024 identity (after) |
| Status | Retired as the primary mark | Current primary mark |
| Core concept | Basketball emblem with 'LA' monogram | Renewed nautical, clipper-ship theme |
| General reception | Widely criticized as generic | Presented as a return to the team's heritage |
| Practical note | Still common in older stock and fan files | Use this version for current-season work |
Evidence gap: no official brand guide, artwork files or color specifications were supplied for this review. Exact color values, proportions, secondary marks and wordmark details are not stated here. Confirm them against the team's official brand materials before reproducing either logo.
What the change means for vector logo files
Because the 2015 mark was in use for nearly a decade, many files labeled as a Clippers vector logo show the old design. Before using a file, check the artwork itself against the current mark. A file's date or label is not enough to tell you which version it contains.
- Check that the artwork shows the 2024 design, not the circular 2015 basketball emblem.
- Don't assume a file contains editable vector paths because it is an SVG, EPS, AI or PDF. These formats can hold true vector shapes, an embedded raster image, or both.
- Open the file in a vector editor and inspect it in outline or wireframe view. Real vector artwork shows clean anchor points and paths. An embedded image appears as a single rectangular object.
- Treat thumbnails and previews as raster images. They are not proof of what the downloadable file actually contains.
- Check whether the wordmark is outlined shapes or live text. Live text depends on a font you may not have installed or licensed.
Downloading is not the same as permission to use
Both the old and new Clippers logos are trademarks of the team and the league. Being able to download a logo file, even from an official media or press page, does not grant permission to modify the artwork, use it commercially, or apply it to merchandise. Any custom fonts in the wordmark may also carry their own license terms. Editorial use, licensed commercial use and personal fan projects fall under different rules. Confirm which rights apply before you edit, recolor or publish either version.