This early branding was purely functional, designed to establish basic brand recognition in a landscape where cable TV was still a new frontier. The Birth of an Icon (1985)
The story of ESPN's logos is more than just a history of graphic design; it is the visual chronicle of how a "crazy" idea for a 24-hour sports network in 1979 became a global media empire. In this first part, we look at the birth of the brand and the creation of its most enduring symbol. The Experimental Era (1978–1985) espn logos part 1
The very first iteration of the logo appeared on July 14, 1978, in an early promotional spot. It featured a simple orange ring that eventually expanded to include the letters of the network's acronym. This early branding was purely functional, designed to