Benjamin Franklin: Philadelphia 76ers New Logo?

Benjamin Franklin had his hands in many different tasks. Here, in 2015, he has a new one: the logo for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The NBA is reporting that, as part of a new uniform package that the 76ers will be unveiling soon, is what they are calling a secondary caricature logo of a left-handed Benjamin Franklin dribbling, wearing 76ers colors. No word of Benjamin Franklin’s basketball mastery, given he died more than 100 years before the game was invented. Also, there is debate on whether Benjamin Franklin was left-handed or right-handed.

This is another attempt on the part of the 76ers to rebrand their identity, trying to distance themselves from their current losing ways. According to the 76ers, the new logos are a tip-off to the new uniforms that will be introduced June 18 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The new uniforms and logos will carry new identifiable items (the secondary Benjamin Franklin logo, for example), plus incorporate older logo items, such as the ring 13 stars representing the original 13 American colonies. The new main logo, however, gets a big makeover, where the outer circle is replaced by a blue border, and inside the border are six stars and the word “Philadelphia” at the top.

The Sports Grid is focusing on Benjamin Franklin’s dexterity, meaning, was he truly left- or right-handed? Though the new logo has him as a lefty, many of the paintings and portraits of Benjamin Franklin have him holding writing utensils in his right hand. True, Franklin did write Portrait of the Left Hand, it is a treatise about the left hand, not about left-handed persons. Remember, during this time, left-handed persons were considered anywhere from abnormal to downright evil. It was assumed that since he was holding quills and whatnot in his right hand, that he was indeed right-handed.

The new logos and uniforms are to be unveiled in advance of the draft lottery. The new designs are intended to freshen the 76ers look, yet keep popular elements of days gone by. The new designs are to pay homage to the 76ers in the days of former 76ers greats, like the late Wilt Chamberlain from the late 1960s, Billy Cunningham 1970s, and Julius “Dr. J” Erving from the 1980s.

As for the Benjamin Franklin logo, its meant to pay homage to one of Philadelphia’s favorite historical sons. Benjamin Franklin did many great things while in Philadelphia — you can add pitching pro sports to his resume.

[Image courtesy of Sports Logos]