The Early Years 1946 1950

The Evolution of the Boston Celtics Logo: A Visual History

The Early Years: 1946-1950

The original Boston Celtics logo featured a simple green cloverleaf with the team name written in white. This logo was inspired by Boston's large Irish population and was meant to represent the team's fighting spirit. The cloverleaf also symbolized good luck, which the team hoped would bring them success on the court.

The Auerbach Era: 1950-1966

In 1950, Red Auerbach took over as coach of the Celtics and led the team to their first NBA championship. Under Auerbach's leadership, the Celtics became one of the most dominant teams in the league, winning 11 championships in 13 years. During this time, the team's logo was updated to feature a more stylized cloverleaf and the addition of the word "Celtics" in gold.

The Russell Era: 1966-1969

Bill Russell took over as player-coach of the Celtics in 1966 and led the team to two more NBA championships. Under Russell's leadership, the Celtics continued to be one of the most successful teams in the league, and their logo became synonymous with success. In 1969, the team's logo was again updated to feature a more modern look, with the addition of a basketball and the removal of the word "Celtics."

The Post-Russell Era: 1969-Present

Since Russell's retirement, the Celtics have continued to be one of the most successful teams in the NBA, winning 17 more championships. The team's logo has remained largely unchanged since 1969, although it has been updated slightly over the years to reflect the team's changing style and branding. Today, the Celtics logo is one of the most iconic and recognizable logos in all of sports.