The iconic New York Knicks logo almost looked very different. Michael Doret, the graphic designer who created the current logo in 1991, revealed that early concepts included a version prominently featuring the Empire State Building.
The rejected designs show a more literal New York City identity, with the skyscraper woven into the classic orange and blue color scheme. Doret shared these alternative logos in a recent interview, offering a glimpse into the creative process behind the final mark.
Doret's original 1991 design ultimately opted for a cleaner, more geometric triangle motif. The chosen logo has remained largely unchanged for over three decades, becoming one of the most recognizable in professional sports.
While the Empire State Building version was scrapped, Doret noted that the final logo still subtly evokes New York through its angular form and color palette. The revelation adds a layer of what-if history to a franchise deeply tied to the city's identity.
For sports branding enthusiasts, the glimpse into Doret's discarded work underscores how major logos often emerge from a process of elimination. No economist or policy implications were present in the source material.