Oakland A’s New Logo: A Before-and-After Design Evaluation
What the A's “new logo” question likely refers to, what a fair before-and-after comparison should examine, and why vector files and usage rights need separate checks.
Contents
Short answer: no documentation of a specific redesigned Oakland A’s logo was supplied for this evaluation, so this article cannot confirm what changed, when, or whether the change is official. Searches for the A’s new logo most often come from the franchise’s move away from Oakland, which raised questions about whether its identity would change. The familiar green-and-gold “A’s” script mark is the reference point any “before” comparison would start from. Below is what can be assessed responsibly, what remains unverified, and how to evaluate any updated mark you find, as artwork and as a usable file.
Which logo is under discussion
A professional sports identity is a system, not a single image. It usually includes a primary mark, a cap or monogram mark, a wordmark, secondary marks, and color and typography standards. A “new logo” claim could mean a full replacement of the primary mark, a refinement of an existing one, a removal of the city name from wordmarks or uniforms, or simply a fan concept circulating as if it were official. Each scenario calls for a different before-and-after comparison, so the first step is to identify which element changed and whether the club or league announced it.
Evidence gaps to keep in mind
- No official announcement, style guide or brand release was supplied, so no specific design change can be confirmed here.
- No color values, proportions or construction details for either the old or new mark were supplied, so none are stated in this article.
- No source files were supplied, so nothing can be said about how any version is built as vector artwork.
- Unofficial redesigns and concept art are common for teams in transition; an image labeled “new logo” is not proof of an official change.
How to run a fair before-and-after comparison
Once you have a verified official version of both marks, compare them on the same terms. The criteria below are editorial lenses for judgment, not measurements this article has taken.
| Criterion | What to compare | Why it matters |
| Silhouette | Overall shape and recognizability at a glance | Legacy marks carry recognition that a redesign can strengthen or dilute |
| Letterforms | Script structure, stroke contrast, apostrophe and terminal shapes | Small changes in a script mark read as a different identity |
| Color | Whether the green and gold were kept, shifted or expanded | Color often carries more heritage than the shape itself |
| Geographic reference | Whether a city name appears, was removed or was replaced | Determines where and how long the mark stays relevant |
| Scalability | Legibility at cap, favicon and app-icon sizes | Thin script strokes can fill in or break up when small |
| One-color use | How the mark holds up in a single color or reversed | Needed for embroidery, stamping and merchandise |
| System fit | Consistency with the wordmark, cap mark and secondary marks | A strong primary mark can still clash with the rest of the set |
Vector artwork versus raster previews
Most images shared in news coverage and on social media are raster previews: fixed-pixel images that blur or pixelate when enlarged. They are fine for viewing a redesign but unsuitable for print, signage or detailed comparison.
A file extension alone does not tell you what is inside. An SVG, EPS, AI or PDF file can hold true editable paths, but it can also simply wrap an embedded bitmap. To check, open the file in a vector editor and look for selectable anchor points and paths. If the logo selects as a single rectangular image, it is embedded raster content, not vector artwork. Also check whether the lettering exists as outlined shapes or as live text that depends on a font you may not have.
- True vector: scales cleanly, colors can be edited per shape, suitable for production.
- Embedded raster in a vector container: looks like a vector file but behaves like a fixed-size image.
- Raster preview: suitable for reference and discussion only.
Downloading is not the same as permission to use
Team logos are trademarked, and the artwork is typically controlled by the club and the league. Being able to download a file, even from an official media page, does not grant the right to modify the artwork, recreate it, use it on products, or imply endorsement. Any custom typeface in a wordmark carries its own licensing. Editorial commentary, like a design review, is a different context from commercial use; anyone planning merchandise, advertising or derivative designs should check with the rights holder rather than assume permission.
Bottom line
Without a confirmed official release, the A’s “new logo” question cannot be settled here. Verify the source first, identify which element of the identity changed, and compare both versions on silhouette, letterforms, color, scalability and system fit. Before working with any file, confirm that it contains real vector paths rather than an embedded image, and treat usage rights as a separate question from access.