The Chicago Bulls logo, a red bull’s head with black and white accents, has been the visual identity of the NBA franchise since its founding in 1966. The team states that the iconic logo has never changed since its inception, noting “we got it right the first time.”[1]
Design and History
The logo was created by commercial designer Dean Wessel, who designed it as a favor to Bulls founder Dick Klein in exchange for free tickets to games.[2] According to Wessel’s 2004 obituary in the Chicago Tribune, he sketched the logo, coloring the bull’s face red at Klein’s request, and then added the same color to the tips of the horns to represent blood.[3]
The Bulls are reportedly the only NBA team to still use its original logo.[4] The team has confirmed it still uses the original 1966 logo.[5]
There is some dispute over the logo’s authorship. While Wessel is widely cited as the designer, both the Associated Press and the Chicago Tribune credited another artist, Ted Drake, with creating the Bulls logo in obituaries published when Drake died in 2000. Drake, who worked as a designer at Wilson Sporting Goods in Chicago, was also known for creating the University of Notre Dame leprechaun logo.[6][4] The Bulls have declined to say who made the logo.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
Founder Dick Klein wanted a team nickname that denoted strength and power, tied into Chicago’s meatpacking tradition and the Chicago Amphitheater’s proximity to the famed Chicago Stockyards, the team’s first home court.[7] The red on the tips of the bull’s horns was added at Klein’s request to represent blood.[3]
The logo uses the team colors of red, black and white.[8]
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