Kyrie Irving Calls for NBA Logo Change
Michael Marciano
Sports Business Writer
New Jersey native and current Brooklyn Nets star, Kyrie Irving, is leading the discussion to change the official NBA logo to depict the late Kobe Bryant. The NBA logo currently features former Los Angeles Laker Jerry West, and has used his likeness since 1969. The urge to change up the logo comes from two main factors.
The first factor stems from Kyrie and Bryant’s close relationship. Before and after Bryant’s untimely death last January, Irving has called Bryant a “mentor” and “father-figure” on many occasions. Kyrie wants his personal mentor to become the new logo, as Kobe embodied everything the NBA stands for. Many others agree with Kyrie, that Kobe is a mentor and father-figure to many across the world. The logo change would serve as a reminder that hard work does indeed pay off.
The other factor comes from the league’s heavy stance and involvement on the issues of Black men and women. The league displays “BLACK LIVES MATTER” on the sides of the court and is very progressive when it comes to the issues that impact and plague the Black community. Kyrie argues that changing the NBA logo to a black man is the next appropriate action. When discussing his main reason for supporting the logo change, Irving said; “BLACK KINGS BUILT THE LEAGUE” in an Instagram post.
So, what does Jerry West think about this? The 82-year-old former basketball player welcomes the change. This comes as a shock to the NBA community, that the current person displayed on the league’s logo is not particularly honored. In a 2017 ESPN interview, West said:
“While it is flattering to be depicted as the symbol of the league, I think if I were the NBA, I would be embarrassed about it. I don’t like to do anything to call attention to myself. If they would want to change it, I wish they would. In many ways, I wish they would.”
West also noted that he would be “more than okay” if the league finalized its decision to change the logo from his image.
Despite a petition getting over two million signatures from NBA fans, the logo is still set to stay the same and remain unchanged. Why would this be? The hesitancy on the matter is nothing personal against Bryant and his family- it would simply be very expensive to change the logo. Although there is no publicized cost, we do know that the NBA logo generates over $3 billion in licensing fees per year- so we could expect costs in that range to officially change the logo.
Kyrie Irving is trying to honor and support his deceased mentor; however, some decisions are just too expensive. If the logo is ever to be changed, Kobe Bryant would be a great candidate to become the new face of the league.
Contact Michael at marciami@shu.edu