HC Motor České Budějovice, also known as Banes Motor České Budějovice since 2023, is a Czech ice hockey club based in České Budějovice. Its current visual identity centers on a winged letter “M” inside a circular badge, a symbol with deep roots in the club’s history.
Design and History
The club’s current logo was introduced in August 2013, when the team was re-established as HC Motor České Budějovice after the previous extraliga club, HC Mountfield, relocated to Hradec Králové.[1] The new mark was designed by Tadeáš Drahorád, with the overall brand concept created by the sports marketing agency 2Score.[2]
The 2013 logo was described as a modernized version of the historical Motor logo.[2] It features a red letter “M” inside a blue circle, with the year 1928 written in white above the letter.[3] The year refers to the founding of the original club, AC Stadion České Budějovice, on January 10, 1928.[4]
The winged “M” had been a symbol of České Budějovice hockey for decades before the 2013 redesign. In the older version of the logo, a five-pointed star appeared above the “M”; in the new version, the star was replaced by the year 1928.[5]
The club has faced legal disputes over the use of its logo. After the club’s revival, a legal challenge was brought against Motor by František Eliáš, who had registered the winged “M” mark. The court ruled in Motor’s favor, confirming the club’s right to use the logo, which had been created specifically for the club by Tadeáš Drahorád.[6]
Meaning and Symbolism
The current club crest contains a hidden reference to the city of České Budějovice. The outline of the city’s historic center is shown inversely within the shape of the letter “M,” symbolically connecting the club to the city it represents.[7]
The club’s official colors are white, red, blue, and yellow.[4] The traditional combination of blue, yellow, red, and white has been described by the club as inseparable from the Motor identity.[7]
Typography and Design
In 2026, the club introduced a custom font designed specifically for Banes Motor České Budějovice. The new typeface appears on player nameplates and numbers and is intended to be a characteristic element of the club’s identity across all communication channels.[7]
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