Today, the WNBA has an iconic logo that perfectly encapsulates its passionate players and their values. That recognizable bright orange athlete exudes a sense of freedom and empowerment.
But, for real, who is the athlete supposed to be? Who is the WNBA Logo?
The WNBA has undergone two significant rebrands, one in 2013 and another in 2019. Each refresh reflects the evolving league and its players.
Here we discuss the story behind the logo, explore its design, and *finally* shed light on what player serves as the basis for its recognizable emblem.
The WNBA Logo Is Based On…
The answer to “Who is the WNBA logo?” has intrigued fans since the updated WNBA logo was introduced in 2019. In a unique twist, the WNBA claims the logo doesn’t draw inspiration from any single player or even a group of specific players.
The WNBA logo is not based on anybody.
When the latest orange woman logo was unveiled by the WNBA in 2019, fans wanted to know who was the basis for the silhouette. But according to the league and the brand design agency that created the design, it’s nobody.
The design agency claims they were going after a more modern and streamlined look, featuring a more athletic, dynamic, and free player. With this in mind and using input from players, they crafted the logo from hundreds of sketches. But no single player was on their minds.
Learn more: Who is the NBA logo?
Debating Who the WNBA Logo Is
Despite claiming the logo isn’t based on any player, the league (at least its social media team) used the interest to engage with fans and stir the pot.
In a Twitter poll, the league asked fans to speculate and vote on who they believed the new WNBA logo player. Fans were given four players to choose from: Elena Delle Donne, Candace Parker, Kiah Stokes, and Diana Taurasi.
Elena Delle Donne and Candace Parker garnered a significant share of the votes, with 26.9% and 27.5%, respectively. Kiah Stokes earned 4.4% of the vote. However, the indomitable Diana Taurasi emerged as the likely inspiration, securing a commanding 41.3% of the votes.
In a 2019 panel interview with The Undefeated, Sue Bird and Kia Nurse shared their thoughts on who the logo could be.
“The WNBA put out four options of who it could be on Twitter,” said Kia Nurse. “I was going through them, and one of them is my teammate [Kiah Stokes]. I’m like, ‘That’s not her.’ Then I said, ‘OK, she has a bun. …’ So it’s either Diana Taurasi or Elena Delle Donne.”
“The bun could be Diana,” said Sue Bird. “The actual movement, I’ve heard people say Kiah Stokes. Who knows? They’d never admit it was somebody anyway, so it won’t matter.”
With her long, dominating career and a distinctive bun resembling the WNBA logo player, Diana has an unmistakable presence that fits the bill.
Learn more: How much do WNBA players make?
WNBA Logo Design
Crafted by branding agency Sylvain Labs, today’s iconic orange WNBA logo represents more than the league’s brand identity. It also exemplifies empowerment, diversity, and the enduring spirit of women’s basketball.
The logo features the silhouette of a strikingly orange athlete depicted in mid-jump with an outstretched arm, clutching a basketball, exuding confidence and dynamism.
One of the standout features of the WNBA logo player is the athlete’s bun hairstyle. This design element pays homage to the way many players wear their hair. It symbolizes unity within the league.
The latest WNBA logo breaks from the conventional confines of a rectangular frame used in the logo of its NBA counterpart and other leagues. Liberating the player from the box-like structure showcases the athlete moving unencumbered with freedom, which embodies empowerment and “basketball on our terms.”
With this design, the WNBA believes it will better target its growing audience, millennials aged 16 to 34. The logo’s modernity and cultural relevance align with diversity, social consciousness, and engagement with contemporary issues.
History of the WNBA Logo
Since its inception in 1996, the WNBA has undergone a transformative journey in shaping its visual identity. Each logo iteration served as a visual representation of the league’s evolving identity and its enduring mission to empower and inspire.
1997-2012 (Original WNBA Logo)
The original WNBA logo, used from 1997 to 2012, featured a distinctive inclined shield inspired by the Jerry West-inspired NBA emblem. This shield evoked a sense of tradition and conveyed movement and speed through its slanted shape.
In parallel with the NBA’s logo, the WNBA emblem was a nod to the American flag with its red, blue, and white color scheme. However, the defining characteristic of the logo was the unmistakably feminine silhouette of the basketball player at its center.
2013-2019
In 2013, the WNBA embarked on a rebranding journey that significantly departed from its previous logo. While the league retained its focus on portraying a player in action, it moved away from its earlier NBA-inspired design. The familiar red, blue, and white color palette made way for a striking combination of orange and oatmeal, echoing the pattern of the league’s distinctive game balls.
This fresh color scheme infused the logo with simplicity, cleanliness, and power. Simultaneously, the logo transitioned from the original shield shape to a vertical rectangle, symbolizing a break from tradition and a shift towards a more contemporary identity.
The ponytailed player silhouette, previously seen dribbling, now depicted an aggressive attack on the basket. This signified the evolution of WNBA players, who had grown more athletic, agile, and competitive. While the league never officially confirmed a specific player as the inspiration for this design, Sue Bird’s name frequently surfaced in discussions.
2020-Today (Current WNBA Logo)
The current logo, introduced in 2019 and used from the 2020 season, represented a significant departure from its predecessors. This time, the designers mirrored the player’s silhouette, rendering it in vibrant orange, and elevating it as the primary emblem.
Accompanying this iconic image was a wordmark featuring the league’s acronym, presented in bold, wide sans-serif letters, all rendered in orange.
This evolution in logo design was part of the WNBA’s ongoing commitment to engage with a younger, socially-conscious millennial audience. It also celebrated athletes’ strength, diversity, and multi-dimensionality.
Learn more: How many WNBA teams are there?
Impact of the WNBA Logo
Regardless of who the WNBA logo is based on, it’s since become a powerful representation of the league’s identity. Today, the logo is a beacon, drawing attention to the league and solidifying its presence in the professional sports world.
For example, the now well-recognized bright orange-and-white WNBA hoodie is now the league’s defining symbol. The garment is now one of the most iconic sports merchandise pieces. NBA greats like Lebron James, Damian Lillard, and Chris Paul wore the hoodie while in the Bubble in 2020 to show support for the WNBA and its players. Kobe Bryant sported it courtside a year earlier while taking in a Los Angeles Lakers game with his daughter.
The logo’s distinctive orange color and dynamic player silhouette allow the WNBA to stand out, making it instantly recognizable to fans and newcomers. It was pivotal in building the league’s brand recognition and popularity.
More on the WNBA
Learn more trivia about the WNBA and its players, including WNBA quotes, by visiting our guide to the WNBA.
