Time for new MLS logo

As a graphic designer, I can't stand the MLS logo! Compared to the big major league sports leagues, it looks like an amateur league. The ball doesn't look like that anymore nor do the shoes players wear now. What do you think would be a more timeless icon for the league?

Here's your logo

I'd like the league to use a shield like the NFL or NHL, but honestly the logo is a minor nitpick at this point

English Premier League is the best logo. Maybe something close to that would be nice.

If you're a graphic designer, why didn't you present something new ?

I think we need to go the NFL style (also used by the EPL, etc) that puts the brand forward, and the sport secondary. I like the idea of using US/Canadian imagery, but it falls a little flat, IMO. An Eagle and a...beaver?? Doesn't quite fit. The only thing that might work is a Star/Maple Leaf, though that might already have been done

Good time for a new logo would be when MLS inevitably gets a league sponsor. In the meantime it can wait, a lot of other issues the league needs to take care of first.

This line of thinking ("There are bigger problems so let's not even bother thinking about smaller ones") has led to complacency and allowed ills to foster and grow, all in the name of good intentions.

There are 24 hours in the day, MLS is a multi-million dollar corporation. They can multi-task

CANAM...says baseball....looks like lacrosse

There are actually too logos there.

Good to see those critiquing skills learned in community college/career tech graphics designer classes being put to good use.

Clearly, youve discovered why soccer & MLS aren't more popular in the US.

And the NHL doesn't even have a puck or stick on their shield. Hell, it could stand for the National Housewives League.

Got it, we have to switch the logo to something new to make it look more timeless.

Can we create a forum below "You be the Don". Maybe, "You be the Dumbass"?

Just for reference, logos from leagues around the world ... some of which you might have heard of:




Hmmm ... seems to me like we've captured the elements of these logos pretty well with ours. OH, and it fits into the "American" vibe of the rest of our sports logos as well (which makes the most sense with the league being an American league and all).

Also, the NBA - NHL - MLB all have Canadian teams, but the logos don't represent Canada in any way. Why should the MLS logo ? Just because there are Canadian teams in the league, doesn't change what the league is ... which is the National soccer league of the United States.

The real problem is that the logo was designed to be a small patch like other leagues, not as a prominent sleeve patch in the European tradition. When they put in on the sleeve they should have rethought it.

...and Canada. I agree with you that we don't need stars and stripes and eagles to be countered by Beavers and loons and maple leaves. But honestly, we don't need any of those things. The logo shouldn't be about being American soccer, but rather being Soccer for America. The only major League I can think of that uses patriotic imagery (not just colors) is the EPL. Spain, Germany, France, Italy...none of them do. And MLS doesn't need to either

I get ours and Major League Gaming mixed up all the time.

It doesn't.

I'm not saying it should. I'm actually saying there's nothing wrong with it as is. This issue is already addressed with the flag patchs worn by the clubs, both American and Canadian.

And no, the leagues aren't the Canadian leagues as well. They are American (IE-USA) leagues in which, Canadian teams play. Eh, Hockey whatever you can have that one. Two teams does not, a National League make. I mean unless you're saying that American clubs are the National clubs of Canada. Canadian "major" league teams play in American leagues. Sorry, that's how it s. You can use all the semantics you'd like to play with that, but I'm going with reality.

MLS is the CSA's sanctioned D1 league. It doesn't matter how many teams are in it, that is the reality of the situation.

And by the way, the NHL is Canada's Major Hockey League, there are just US teams in it.
Boston Bruins - Greatest Amateur Canadian Hockey Club, 2011

so a formality on paper makes it so ? The CSA has to have that recognition of the MLS, otherwise Canada would be stuck with:
http://www.canadiansoccerleague.com/

If you really feel that the MLS is a Canadian league (or the MLB or the NBA) I feel sorry for you.

Wait, but didn't you just say that the MLS is CSA's D1 league, and thusly it is a Canadian league as well ? Uh, USA Hockey recognizes the NHL as the D1 or "major" league ... so wouldn't the same be true ? Or just the one that fits what you're saying ?

Also, it took 4 teams from the US to finally stabilize the league and right the ship, but whatever.

These leagues are headquarted in, have an overwhelmingly majority of the clubs, and run in the United States.

I guess the EPL is a Welsh league to you eh ?

You know the old saying about "assume"?

Perception IS reality. If you want to be respected, look like a serious entity. Cartoon style images don't cut it.

Ask Apple about how your image effects how people view your product.

Not sure what this has to do with the poor design of MLS's mark. The NHL is the oldest pro sports league in North America and has had the same logo with one update since 1917.

New and timeless aren't mutually exclusive, "timeless" just mean it will hold up over the long haul. The current MLS mark is already outdated.

I'm not sure what I did to set you off but thanks for your interest.

It means your assumptions are shared by you and two or three other clowns. That's practically a militia movement these days.

Which is MLS went about building stadiums rather than having messageboard logo design contests.

You mean how Apple people see themselves or how everyone else sees them?

[Foghorn Leghorn]

I say, I say, he's mockin' ya boy.

You're a lil' slow on the uptake, arncha' boy?

[/Foghorn Leghorn]

So was this argument, 18 months ago. Why don't you plan a trip to the Supporters Summit and offer your services to "fix the branding" to The Don?

Just being yourself, most likely.

I totally agree.

However you won't get my vote unless the logo includes one/all of the following elements.







NOW GET TO WORK!!!

Again, put up against some of the other "major" soccer leagues in the world .... how is it outdated ?

The ball ? Used in La Liga/EPL logo as well.

The cartoony look ? Bundesliga.

Seriously, what's outdated ?

Well, the updated ones (like the one on the website) have addressed a few picky issues. It is much more "done" and the colors have actually been put into elements (the pitch/sky - check the color fade on the ball that used to not be there) ...