The Old Atlanta Hawks Logo: A Local Fan’s Guide to the Classic Hawks Emblem

For anyone who loves Atlanta sports, the old Atlanta Hawks logo isn’t just a graphic — it’s a piece of the city’s identity. Whether you grew up going to games at the Omni Coliseum, followed the team through the Philips Arena years, or you’re a newer fan curious about the team’s history, understanding the evolution of the Hawks’ logo helps you appreciate how deeply the franchise is tied to Atlanta.

This guide walks through the major old Hawks logos, what they meant in their eras, how they connect to Atlanta culture, and where you can still see or buy them around the city.

A Quick Timeline of Old Atlanta Hawks Logos

The Hawks have changed logos several times since arriving in Atlanta in 1968. Here’s a simple overview of the key designs most Atlanta fans talk about when they say “old Hawks logo.”

When people in Atlanta say “old Atlanta Hawks logo”, they usually mean one of two:

1. The classic circular “Pac-Man” hawk from the 1970s–1990s
2. The 1990s spread-wings hawk catching a basketball

The Classic “Pac-Man” Hawks Logo (1970s–1990s)

What the Pac-Man Logo Looks Like

The Pac-Man logo is the most iconic “old Atlanta Hawks logo.”

It features:

• A red circular outline
• A stylized hawk head facing right
• The negative space creating a “C” shape that resembles the video game character Pac-Man
• Often paired with “Atlanta Hawks” text in clean, simple lettering

Even though it predates the video game by a few years, Atlanta fans quickly started calling it the Pac-Man hawk because of its shape.

Why Atlanta Fans Love This Old Logo

For many people in metro Atlanta, this logo is tied to:

• The Omni-era teams
• Early days of legendary Hawks players like Dominique Wilkins
• The city’s growing national identity in the 1980s and early 1990s

If you grew up anywhere around Downtown, Decatur, College Park, or Marietta during that time, the Pac-Man logo might be what you still picture when you think “Hawks.”

It represents:

• Simplicity – bold, clean design that still looks sharp today
• Nostalgia – watching games on local TV, going to the Omni with family, or seeing the logo on old posters and starter jackets
• Atlanta pride – a symbol that stuck with the city long enough to come back in a modernized form

Where You Can Still See the Pac-Man Logo in Atlanta

Even though there’s now a modernized version, the old-style Pac-Man logo still shows up around the city:

• State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303)
  • You may see retro versions on certain throwback nights, banners, and specialty merchandise stands inside the arena.
• Team shops near Downtown
  • Official team stores often carry throwback hats, jerseys, and T-shirts using the old Pac-Man design.
• Vintage and thrift spots in areas like:
  • Little Five Points
  • East Atlanta Village
  • Westside / Midtown
    These shops sometimes have old jackets, snapbacks, or posters featuring the original Pac-Man hawk.

If you’re searching specifically, look for items labeled “retro Hawks,” “throwback Atlanta Hawks,” or “classic Pac-Man logo.”

The 1990s Full-Body Hawk Logo (1995–2007)

What the 90s Hawks Logo Looks Like

Another major “old Atlanta Hawks logo” fans remember is the full-body hawk introduced in the mid-1990s.

It typically shows:

• A large, detailed hawk with wings fully spread
• The hawk gripping a basketball in its talons
• The words “Atlanta Hawks” above or around the bird
• A color scheme featuring deep red, navy blue, and gold

This logo feels more aggressive and busy than the Pac-Man design, fitting the style of many 1990s sports logos.

Atlanta Memories Tied to the 90s Hawk

This logo connects to:

• The late-90s Hawks era, including more intense playoff pushes
• The shift from the older Omni days toward a more modern NBA image
• A time when bold, fierce animal logos were popular across the league

If you lived in the suburbs like Gwinnett, Cobb, or Clayton County during the 90s and wore Hawks gear to school, this is probably the logo you had on your hoodie or starter jacket.

Where to Spot the 90s Logo Around Atlanta

You’re less likely to see this logo used by the team today, but it still lives on in:

• Retro jerseys and warm-ups sold at:
  • Arena team stores
  • Larger sporting goods retailers in the metro area
• Collectible shops and sports card stores around Atlanta that carry:
  • Old posters
  • Trading cards
  • Vintage pennants
• Occasional theme nights where the Hawks highlight past eras with nostalgic graphics and uniforms

If you’re hunting specifically for this design, search for “1990s Hawks logo,” “spread-wings logo,” or “hawk holding basketball logo.”

From Old to New: How the Hawks Logo Evolved in Atlanta

Shift from Simple to Fierce — Then Back Again

The Hawks’ logo journey in Atlanta has moved in cycles:

1. 1960s–1980s:

   • Simple, modern shapes (leading to the Pac-Man design)
   • Clean lines that were easy to recognize from a distance

2. 1990s–2000s:

   • More complex, aggressive artwork
   • Detailed full-body hawk meant to look intimidating

3. 2015 and Beyond:

   • Return to a modernized Pac-Man logo
   • Sleek, bold, and heavily tied to Atlanta’s modern brand
   • Paired with updated colors like torch red and neon-style accents

For Atlanta residents, this evolution mirrors how the city itself has changed — from classic Southern sports town, to 90s expansion and reinvention, to a globally recognized cultural hub.

Why the Old Logos Still Matter to the City

Even though the current logo is a streamlined version of the Pac-Man hawk, the old Atlanta Hawks logos still matter because they:

• Connect long-time fans to their childhood memories and family traditions
• Give newer fans a way to understand the team’s roots
• Show how Atlanta’s visual and cultural identity has shifted over time

You’ll see that when the Hawks do “Throwback” or “Classic” nights at State Farm Arena — the crowd response to the old logos, jerseys, and intros is immediate. It’s a shared Atlanta experience that spans generations.

How to Recognize Authentic Old Hawks Logo Gear in Atlanta

If you’re shopping around the city for authentic or high-quality old logo items, here are a few practical tips.

1. Check the Logo Style and Era

Know which design you’re after:

• Classic Pac-Man: Simple circular hawk, minimal details
• 90s Full-Body Hawk: Detailed bird holding a basketball
• Early versions: May have slightly different fonts or proportions

Recognizing the shapes helps you avoid off-model or low-quality reproductions.

2. Look at Tags and Branding

On jerseys, shirts, and jackets, look for:

• Well-known sports apparel makers (especially on older pieces)
• Official sizing and fabric tags
• Proper use of “Atlanta Hawks” wording and colors

Many Atlanta vintage shops are familiar with old Hawks gear and can often tell you if something is truly old or a modern reprint.

3. Compare Colors

Old Hawks logos often use:

• Bright red and white for classic Pac-Man
• Red, navy, and gold for the 90s hawk
• Newer retro releases might slightly adjust shades or materials but keep the core look.

If a piece uses odd color combinations that don’t match the era, it may not be a faithful reproduction.

Where an Atlanta Fan Might Go for Old Hawks Logo Experiences

While you can’t visit the Omni anymore, there are still plenty of places around Atlanta where the old Hawks logo legacy lives on.

State Farm Arena – The Modern Home with a Retro Heart

Address: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303

At the Hawks’ current home arena, you may find:

• Throwback merchandise with old logos
• Retro-themed game nights occasionally spotlighting past eras
• Historical nods to Dominique Wilkins and other legends closely tied to the Pac-Man logo era

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting Downtown, checking the Hawks’ home schedule and theme nights can be a great way to see the old designs in action.

Sports Bars and Local Hangouts

Around Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Battery Atlanta, it’s common to see:

• Old Hawks logo signs, posters, or framed jerseys on the wall
• Fans wearing vintage hats and jackets — especially on game days

You can pick up a lot of logo history just by talking to long-time locals who’ve followed the team since the Omni days.

Vintage & Collectible Shops

Neighborhoods like:

• Little Five Points
• Virginia-Highland
• East Atlanta
• West Midtown

often have stores that specialize in:

• Old Atlanta sports apparel
• Posters, prints, and memorabilia featuring former logos

If you’re looking for a specific era — like an original Pac-Man hat or 90s full-body hawk warm-up jacket — these are good areas to explore.

How the Old Hawks Logos Fit into Atlanta’s Sports Identity

For Atlanta residents, the old Hawks logos sit alongside:

• The evolution of the Atlanta Falcons’ falcon logo
• Changes in the Atlanta Braves’ lettering and tomahawk designs
• The rise of Atlanta United’s crest as a modern soccer symbol

Together, these logos help form a visual language that says “This is Atlanta.”

The old Atlanta Hawks logos — especially the Pac-Man hawk — are a big part of that story. They’ve appeared:

• On jackets at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• On T-shirts at local festivals like those in Piedmont Park
• On murals, stickers, and streetwear throughout the city

If you’re new to Atlanta, recognizing these older Hawks designs is a quick way to plug into the culture and connect with longtime fans.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Fans and Visitors

• The “old Atlanta Hawks logo” usually refers to either:
  • The classic circular Pac-Man hawk (1970s–1990s), or
  • The 1990s full-body hawk with spread wings (1995–2007).
• These logos are tightly tied to Atlanta’s sports history, especially the Omni era and the rise of stars like Dominique Wilkins.
• You can still find old logo gear and imagery at:
  • State Farm Arena team shops
  • Vintage and collectible stores around Little Five Points, Midtown, and other intown neighborhoods
  • Local sports bars and fan hangouts on game days
• The current Hawks branding revives and modernizes the Pac-Man logo, blending nostalgia with a fresh, city-forward look.

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting, keeping an eye out for these older Hawks logos is a simple way to see how the city’s sports identity has grown — and how much of that history still shows up in what people proudly wear and display today.