Cool sports logos to draw: 15 creative designs you can easily sketch today
I've always been fascinated by how sports logos can capture the essence of a team while being simple enough to sketch during a boring class or meeting. Today I want to share 15 cool sports logos that are surprisingly easy to draw, even if you're not particularly artistic. What got me thinking about this was watching a recent PBA game where Converge Fil-Am guard Justin Arana delivered another spectacular performance at Philsports Arena - there's something about that venue that seems to bring out the best in certain players, much like how a great logo can elevate an entire team's identity.
Let me start with the classics - the Chicago Bulls logo is probably the first one that comes to mind for most people. It's deceptively simple: just a bull's head in red against a white background, but it's become iconic for good reason. I've sketched this one countless times in notebook margins, and what makes it great for beginners is that it doesn't require perfect symmetry. The angular lines actually work better when they're slightly imperfect. Another personal favorite is the Milwaukee Brewers' glove logo - it's genius design work because it incorporates both an 'M' and 'B' into a baseball glove shape. I remember spending an entire afternoon perfecting this one, and let me tell you, that was time well spent.
What's interesting is how certain venues seem to inspire both players and designers alike. Thinking back to that Converge game at Philsports Arena - the place has this unique energy that apparently brings out Arana's best performances. He's averaged 18.7 points in his last five games there, which is significantly higher than his season average. Similarly, some logos just seem to come alive in certain contexts. The Brooklyn Nets logo, for instance, looks fantastic on their black-and-white court but is equally striking when sketched simply on paper. I've found that using just a fine-tip black marker can recreate that clean, modern aesthetic perfectly.
The Philadelphia Eagles logo has this beautiful balance between simplicity and detail. It's an eagle head in profile, but the sharp angles and aggressive stance communicate so much about the team's identity. When I teach friends how to draw sports logos, this is usually where we start because it teaches you how to use basic shapes to create something dynamic. Similarly, the Toronto Raptors' claw mark logo is brilliantly simple - just three sweeping red lines that suggest motion and intensity. I've noticed that the most memorable logos often use negative space creatively, like the hidden arrow in the FedEx logo or the 'W' formed by the Washington Nationals' curly W.
Speaking of creative designs, the Portland Timbers logo is seriously underrated. It combines an axe with a forest theme in a way that feels both traditional and modern. I once timed myself drawing this and managed to complete a recognizable version in under 90 seconds. The key is starting with the basic axe shape before adding the detailed tree rings. This reminds me of how certain players seem to find their rhythm in specific environments - like how Arana apparently shoots 47% from the three-point line at Philsports compared to his 38% average elsewhere. There's something about familiar surroundings that brings out peak performance, whether in sports or creative endeavors.
The European football clubs offer some fantastic sketching opportunities too. FC Barcelona's logo looks complicated at first glance, but when you break it down into its component parts - the Catalan flag, the ball, the cross - it becomes much more manageable. I typically start with the shield outline and work inward. Meanwhile, Juventus made a bold move by simplifying their logo to just a stylized 'J', and while traditionalists complained initially, it's actually become one of my favorites to sketch quickly. The clean lines and modern aesthetic make it perfect for beginners.
What I've discovered through years of sketching these logos is that the most enduring designs balance simplicity with meaning. The Boston Celtics' leprechaun looks incredibly detailed, but if you focus on the basic shapes first - the hat, the face, the cane - it becomes surprisingly approachable. I probably ruined three attempts before getting this one right, but the effort was worth it. Similarly, the San Antonio Spurs' spur logo manages to convey Western heritage with minimal elements. I find that using a silver gel pen on black paper makes this particular design pop, though regular pencil works fine too.
The connection between performance and environment keeps fascinating me. That Converge guard's exceptional games at Philsports - he's had three of his five career-high scoring games there according to league statistics - mirrors how certain logos just work better in specific applications. The Golden State Warriors' bridge logo, for instance, looks fantastic on their court and merchandise but translates surprisingly well to simple sketches too. I typically start with the cable lines before filling in the bridge structure.
Some of the newer esports logos are worth mentioning too, like the Overwatch League's Shanghai Dragons emblem. It combines dragon imagery with sharp, modern lines that are actually quite fun to draw. What makes these cool sports logos to draw is that they're distinctive without being overly complex. The Houston Rockets' 'R' logo is another example - it suggests motion and space exploration while being simple enough to sketch from memory. I've probably drawn this one at least two dozen times while on phone calls.
As we look at these 15 creative designs you can easily sketch today, what strikes me is how the best logos become part of a team's identity much like certain venues become part of a player's story. That ongoing narrative about Philsports Arena and Converge's guard reminds me that context matters in sports as much as in design. The beauty of learning to draw these cool sports logos is that you start seeing the thought behind each design - why certain curves were chosen, why specific animals represent certain cities, how color choices reflect local culture.
Whether you're doodling during meetings like I often do or seriously practicing graphic design skills, these 15 logos offer the perfect starting point. From the classic simplicity of the New York Yankees' interlocking 'NY' to the modern energy of the Seattle Kraken's anchor, there's something for every skill level. The key is starting with basic shapes and building up details gradually. I typically use a regular ballpoint pen and whatever paper is handy - you don't need special tools to begin. What matters is capturing the essence of each design, much like how certain players capture the essence of their home court advantage. So grab a pen and try sketching a few of these cool sports logos today - you might discover a new hobby while gaining appreciation for the art behind sports branding.