Introduction
The Premier League is the highest tier of the English soccer league system, comprising 20 professional clubs, and is one of the most popular and competitive leagues in European football.
When we watch the Premier League, we often focus on the great clubs and players. No one wants to miss the exciting details of the game, I know. However, there is an old friend that has been with us throughout the Premier League season that most of us overlook. Yes, I’m talking about the purple lion, the Premier League logo. Although the Premier League logo is not very eye-catching, it appears throughout the season, and we see it everywhere in the Premier League.
So, has anyone ever wondered who created the Premier League logo? Why a lion? How did it come to be what it is today? Today, in this blog, we will discuss these topics.
History of the Premier League Logo
The lion in the Premier League logo is well-known because it represents the best league in football history. The most talented professional players gather here. Thousands of fans come to watch Premier League matches. However, the history of English football has not always been clear. Despite the great success of English football clubs in European football competitions, the passion for the game faded in the 1980s. Many stadiums were abandoned, and football hooliganism began to rise. All this led to British clubs being banned from European competitions.
What was the impact of this ban? Many talented athletes left the country. The government had to take many measures to stabilize the situation. All stadiums were rebuilt, and seating was installed. Although it cost a lot of money, it eventually stopped the riots. With the upgrades, attendance increased, and football became a profitable business again. It was during this time that they decided to create a new league. This event marked the beginning of the Premier League logo’s history. An angry lion was chosen for the Premier League logo.
However, since everything started with chaos, people felt the Premier League logo was decided too hastily. They began to critique it, and the overall impression of the league’s logo was not impressive. It had many details that were better off removed because they served no purpose. Its geometric shapes also failed, as the Premier League logo seemed to fall apart. The color combination was confusing, with deep blue and green overlapping. There was too much black, and it felt disharmonious. Thus, the Premier League logo began its evolution.
Evolution of the Premier League Logo
1992 — 2007
The first time that Premiethe r League logo appeared in 1992. It featured a blue lion standing on a red and white football. This design sat on a green banner with white outlines. The lion wore a red crown, which had four spikes and four dots. The green background displayed the league’s name in bold white letters, representing the field.
2007 — 2016
In 2007, the Premier League logo got a new look. The blue lion and the football stayed, but the lines became smoother. The lion now faced forward, engaging everyone who looked at it. The crown became simpler and matched the blue and white colors of the lion. The league’s name appeared below in a modern blue font, giving it a fresh style.
2016 — Present
In 2016, the Premier League unveiled its new logo. It uses purple and white and shows a lion’s head wearing a crown on the left. The text is now in two layers, using a round, simple font. This version is the first without a white and red football, but it still keeps the original spirit of the Premier League. This Premier League logo has been used until now. You can easily find the picture of the Premier League logo on the official website of the Premier League.
The Color of the Premier League Logo
The Premier League logo had a blue color before 2016, but it changed to a deep purple after that. What caused this change?
First, purple is still linked to royalty and prestige. In ancient times, purple dye was very expensive, so only the rich and royal could afford it. This color was seen as a symbol of luxury and wealth. From the lion and crown to the purple color, the designers aimed to create a high-end image for the league, distinguishing it from other football leagues and highlighting its unique English football culture. This change also helps to show its status as a top league and attract a wider global audience, sending a message of progress and development.
Second, purple is also connected to mystery and spirituality, often used in religious and spiritual contexts. This mystery still closely ties to royalty.
Finally, when the designers created the latest version of the Premier League logo, they wanted it to be more modern. Purple perfectly conveys this idea. In modern culture, purple is often associated with creativity, imagination, and art.
The Font of Premier League Logo
In February 2016, the Premier League introduced a new Premier League logo that replaced the old one featuring a crowned lion holding a ball. The new Premier League logo uses a custom font called Premier Sans, designed by DesignStudio, which is similar to Nico Inosanto’s Radikal Bold.
The designers wanted a cleaner and simpler font. It needed to be impactful and work well across different formats, including digital applications. This font had to look good in large sizes, but it also had to display smaller text clearly, especially for long player names.
To test the font, they used the name of England player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The font needed to perform well not only in large formats but also in tables and compressed formats.
The typeface has its roots in an early wordmark created by DesignStudio during the rebranding process. The designer, Omagari, worked closely with the studio, focusing on specific details like the slightly tapered stems of the lowercase letters r, g, and m. This collaboration happened in the studio’s east London office, where they made adjustments to letters printed at large sizes.
Premier Sans had to be versatile enough to fit various platforms, including TV, broadcast news, print, and websites. At the same time, it needed to convey a new personality for the brand, showing some character while being functional.
The design team added slight angles to the tops of vertical letters, helping to differentiate this typeface from other geometric sans serifs. The numbers also became a focus, needing to be easily read in clocks, tables, and other on-screen uses.
Overall, the Premier League logo and its font reflect the league’s commitment to quality and excellence in English football. This modern design appeals to fans and participants around the world, showcasing the league’s status as a top professional competition.
Meaning Behind the Premier League Logo
The designers of the Premier League logo are the design firm Design Studio, who redesigned the current logo in 2016. This design retains the image of the lion with a more modern style. Why must this element of the lion be used? Since Roman times, lions have had a long-standing reputation in Europe, often exported to zoos for exhibitions or trained to perform in circuses. With the spread of European football culture, lions were often referred to as the ‘King of the Beasts’ and as such they became a symbol of royalty, majesty, and bravery, representing bravery and nobility. The Premier League logo has been changing from the very beginning of its design to the present day, but what remains the same is the image of the lion, which I think represents what the Premier League wants to convey to soccer fans all over the world in a sense – bravery, nobility, and majesty. In addition to the lion, the ever-present crown on the lion’s head indicates this. Nobility is the difference that distinguishes the Premier League from other ball games.
Courage to challenge oneself and one’s opponents, the undefeated team of the Royals, and the majesty of a fair system of play. These are the things that make up the Premier League as we see it today.
Premier League Teams and the Logo
There are now 20 teams in the Premier League, and each team has its own distinctive and eye-catching crest that allows fans to better recognize their uniqueness, culture and spirit. Each team has its own distinctive and eye-catching crest that allows fans to better recognize their uniqueness, culture and spirit. These crests also have their own unique meanings and evolutions, and in this chapter I will briefly introduce a few of the club crests.
Manchester City
Founded in the 1880s as “St Mark’s,” Manchester City is now one of the most beloved teams in the Premier League. The current Manchester City logo has evolved over the years but now showcases the club’s heritage with a simple design. The circular emblem features a shield at its center, adorned with the club’s name around a white border. Inside the shield, you’ll find a golden ship and the red rose of Lancashire, representing the rich history of English football.
Liverpool
The Liverpool logo is highly recognizable in the Premier League. It began with the Liverpool coat of arms that included the Roman god Neptune. Over time, it transformed into an elegant emblem with a red liver bird inside a bold shield. Flanking the shield are “eternal flames,” and below it is a banner displaying the club’s founding date. The inspiring phrase “You’ll Never Walk Alone” crowns the crest, making it a symbol of the community around the club.
Chelsea
Chelsea Football Club’s logo dates back to its founding in 1905. The club boasts six league titles and is the only English team to have won three major UEFA trophies, showing its strength in European football. The emblem incorporates elements from the Chelsea Metropolitan Borough’s coat of arms, featuring a lion—a symbol taken from the club president’s arms—along with a staff that represents the Abbots of Westminster.
Arsenal
Arsenal, established in 1886 as “Dial Square,” has a rich history with 13 league titles and 14 FA Cups. Today, it is one of the most successful clubs in English football. The Arsenal logo showcases a shield-shaped design, featuring the club’s colors and the name “Arsenal” in white lettering. The canon symbol originates from the official coat of arms introduced in the 1800s, reflecting the club’s long-standing legacy in the Premier League.
Manchester United
Located in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, Manchester United FC, known as the “Red Devils,” was founded in 1878 as Newton Health LYR. The club holds a joint record for the most trophies in English football, including 20 league titles. The Manchester United logo draws from the Manchester City Council coat of arms, retaining only the ship. The devil image comes from the club’s nickname, developed over time, and represents its fierce competitive spirit in the Premier League.
West Ham United
Thames Ironworks became West Ham United when it was founded in 1895. The club has won the FA Cup three times and reached two major European finals. Its crest is inspired by the Union Flag of the original Thames Ironworks Team. The two golden hammers symbolize the club’s nickname, “The Hammers,” reflecting the tools used by shipbuilders. This shield-shaped emblem helps maintain the club’s heritage in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur
Founded in 1882, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is based in London. The Tottenham logo features a cockerel standing on a football, with the club’s name below. Since 1921, the logo has featured the same cockerel, representing the club’s connection to Harry Hotspur. The nickname originated from his use of spurs to urge his horse faster in battle, tying the club to the fighting spirit found in many English football clubs.
Corporate Structure and the Premier League Logo
The Premier League is operated as a corporation, with the 20 member clubs as shareholders.
The league’s corporate structure is reflected in the Premier League Logo, which represents the league’s professionalism and organization.
Criticism and Controversy Surrounding the Premier League Logo
The Premier League logo has faced criticism for its design and symbolism. Some have argued that the Premier League logo is too commercialized and lacks a connection to the league’s history and heritage. The Premier League logo has also been criticized for its lack of representation of the league’s diversity and inclusivity.
The Premier League Logo and Digital Media
Featured prominently on the league’s website and social media channels, the Premier League logo is is used to promote the league’s digital content, including live streaming of fixtures and video highlights. The Premier League logo is also used by the league’s partners and sponsors to promote their digital products and services.
Fans can easily find the use of Premier League logo in latest videos of variety matches.
Merchandise and Licensing
Manufacturers and retailers license the Premier League logo for a wide range of merchandise, including jerseys, hats, and scarves, allowing them to produce and sell Premier League-branded products. The league’s teams also use the logo to promote their own merchandise and branding.
Branding Strategy and the English Football League
The Premier League logo is part of the league’s overall branding strategy, which aims to promote the league and its values.
The English Football League (EFL) uses it alongside its logo to promote the league’s connection to the wider football community and to showcase its partnerships and sponsorships with other organizations and brands.
Conclusion
The Premier League logo is a symbol of excellence and competition in English football. The Premier League logo has evolved over the years to reflect the league’s growth and global reach. It represents the league’s values and identity, and is used by the league’s teams, sponsors, and partners to promote the league and its brand.
