toronto raptors logo history

Here's what the Toronto Raptors branding could have looked like with different names

It’s unimaginable now, but the Toronto Terriers could have been playing the Golden State Warriors tonight.

Or, the Scorpions.

Or, the Beavers.

Or, the Tarantulas.

When Toronto applied to create an NBA team back in 1993, they asked fans to choose the team name the following year. There were 10 options: Beavers, Bobcats, Dragons, Grizzlies, Hogs, Scorpions, T-Rex, Tarantulas, Terriers and Raptors.

Thankfully, Jurassic Park swayed our name toward dinosaur territory.

If Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction film wasn’t popular at the time, the Toronto Raptors might have never existed.

The team colours were red, purple, black and “Naismith silver” to honour James Naismith, the Almonte, Ont. native who invented basketball in 1891.

Art and Mechanical, a Toronto-based brand design company, took the creative liberty to create mock-ups of what our team logo could have looked like if we went in a different direction all those years ago.

This is how they imagined the different team logos. 

Thanks to Jurassic Park, we'll never be known as the Tarantulas, Beavers or Scorpions. We will always remain the Toronto Raptors. 

Lead photo by

Art & Mechanical


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

Jeff Marek's long run with Sportsnet has come to an end

People can't stand the new Team Canada Olympic uniforms for 2024

Canada's Wonderland teases huge new ride opening in 2025

How to stream Olympic opening ceremony for free in Canada

Violent outburst occurs after riders trapped on Canada's Wonderland ride

Former and current Toronto Maple Leafs reunited at Michael Bunting's wedding

How to stream Paris 2024 Olympics for free in Canada

Race car driver forced to bike to Honda Indy conference due to standstill Toronto traffic