If you walked into a sports bar in the late 80s wearing a purple and gold hockey jersey, people might have asked if you were lost on your way to a Lakers game. That was the reality for the Los Angeles Kings for over two decades. But logos are more than just fancy drawings on a sweater. They’re basically the DNA of a franchise.
The los angeles kings logo history isn't just a timeline of different sketches. It’s a messy, fascinating story of a team trying to find its soul in a city that, at first, didn't really care about ice.
The Royal Roots (1967–1988)
When Jack Kent Cooke landed an expansion team in 1967, he had a very specific vision. He wanted royalty. He owned the Lakers, so he figured, why mess with a good thing? He dressed the Kings in "Forum Blue" (which is just a fancy way of saying purple) and gold.
The original logo was a literal crown. It was intricate, almost like something you’d see on a medieval tapestry. It had jewels, crosses, and tiny little details that honestly probably looked like a blurry blob from the nosebleed seats.
You’ve gotta remember, back then, the Kings were the "other" team. They played in the Forum, and while the "Triple Crown Line" of Marcel Dionne, Charlie Simmer, and Dave Taylor was legendary, the logo felt a bit... soft? It was regal, sure, but hockey is a sport of missing teeth and bruised ribs. The purple and gold didn't exactly scream "we're going to hit you into the boards."
The Great Gretzky Pivot (1988–1998)
Then came August 9, 1988. "The Trade."
👉 See also: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
When Wayne Gretzky arrived in LA, everything changed overnight. The team didn't just get the best player in history; they got a total identity makeover. Out went the purple. In came the silver and black.
This is the logo most Gen X and Millennial fans obsess over. It's often called the "Chevron" or the "Chevrolet" logo because of its shape. It featured a bold, italicized "KINGS" wordmark with speedlines and a smaller, modernized crown at the bottom.
Honestly, this move was genius. The Raiders had just moved to LA and were the hottest thing in culture. By switching to silver and black, the Kings tapped into that gritty, street-wear vibe. Suddenly, you saw Kings hats in N.W.A. music videos. Hockey was finally cool in SoCal.
The Identity Crisis Years (1998–2011)
Once the Gretzky era faded, things got a little weird. The team moved to the Staples Center and seemingly couldn't decide who they wanted to be.
They introduced a "Coat of Arms" logo in 1998. It was a shield featuring a lion, a sun, and a crown. They even brought back a different shade of purple. It felt like they were trying to please everyone and ended up pleasing nobody.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
- The "Shield" era (2002–2011) saw a shift where the crown became the primary mark again, but it was a heavy, silver-outlined version that felt a bit "early 2000s edgy."
- Then, in 2008, they introduced a home plate-shaped shield with "LA" and a crown.
That "home plate" logo eventually became the primary in 2011. And look, it worked. They won two Stanley Cups (2012 and 2014) wearing that logo. It’s hard to hate a design when you’re hoisting a trophy in it, but many fans felt it was a bit corporate. A bit... safe.
The 2024 Brand Evolution: Full Circle
In June 2024, the Kings finally did what fans had been begging for. They didn't just make a new logo; they "remixed" the best parts of their history.
Designed by House Industries, the 2024 logo is a modernized version of the 90s Chevron. They widened the shape to give the "LOS ANGELES" text more breathing room. They beefed up the "KINGS" font and, most importantly, they swapped the 90s crown for a refined version of the original 1967 crown.
It’s basically a greatest hits album in logo form.
Why this rebrand actually works:
- Legibility: The old 90s logo had thin speedlines that got lost. The new ones are thicker and unique in length.
- The Shadow Shift: The drop shadow on the "KINGS" text moved to the left. It sounds like a tiny detail, but it makes the whole thing feel like it's moving forward.
- The "Enhanced Silver": They moved away from the flat grey and introduced a metallic, vibrant silver that looks incredible under arena lights.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that the Kings "stole" the Lakers' colors. While Jack Kent Cooke owned both, the Kings actually hit the ice in purple and gold a few days before the Lakers debuted their new look in the same colors. They grew up together.
🔗 Read more: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
Another weird myth? That they changed to black and silver just to look like the Raiders. While the "Raider-mania" in LA definitely influenced the choice, the team has officially stated they wanted a look that was more "distinctive and powerful" to usher in the Gretzky era. The cultural crossover was a happy (and very profitable) accident.
How to Spot the Differences
If you're a collector, you've gotta watch the details. The "Vintage" 90s jerseys have five speedlines. The 2024 version? Only three. The "LA" shield from the Cup years is officially retired, but you’ll still see it everywhere because, well, those two rings buy a lot of loyalty.
The los angeles kings logo history shows a team that has finally stopped running from its past. By merging the 60s royalty with the 90s grit, they’ve found a look that actually feels like Los Angeles.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
- Check the Crown: If you're buying "throwback" gear, look at the crown jewels. The 1967 original has colorful jewels (red and blue), while the 2024 version is monochrome silver and black.
- Jersey Transition: The 2024–25 season is the first time the team has officially moved away from the "Home Plate" shield since it became the primary in 2011. Expect the old logo gear to hit clearance racks, but keep it—it's the "Championship Era" mark.
- Authenticity Tip: Real 90s "Chevrolet" logos have a very specific, almost "italicized" slant that is more aggressive than the 2024 modernization. If it looks "too straight," it's probably the new version.