What is a clipper? Why is the Los Angeles NBA franchise called that?

As part of a new brand look unveiled on Monday, the Los Angeles Clippers have included a ship in their logo for the first time in their history.

It’s one of the rebrand’s numerous nods to the NBA franchise’s maritime roots, which over the past four decades have been most visibly honoured by the team’s nickname: the clipper, after all, is a type of sailing vessel.

Clippers name dates back to former home

The Clippers took on their name in 1978, after relocating from Buffalo to San Diego, a port city with a rich maritime tradition. Previously known as the Braves, the team felt a new moniker was needed when they arrived in California.

“San Diego team officials didn’t think Braves was a representative nickname for the club,” the team’s website explains. “A contest decided on Clippers because the city was known for the great sailing ships that passed through San Diego Bay.”

When the Clippers moved to Los Angeles after six years in San Diego, the franchise kept the nickname.

What is a clipper?

The clipper is a sailing ship that was used as a merchant vessel in the mid-19th century. It is defined by Merriam Webster as a ship “with long slender lines, an overhanging bow, tall masts, and a large sail area”.

The clipper’s slim, sleek design made it a high-speed vessel, allowing it to transport goods quickly, albeit not in huge qualities.

A well-known clipper is the Cutty Sark, a British ship described as the “fastest of its time”. A vessel that initially transported tea to Britain from China, before being used to carry wool from Australia, it is now a major visitor attraction in the UK capital, London.

Fans question ship in Clippers logo

In the wake of the Clippers’ rebrand announcement, basketball fans have been quick to point out that the ship used for the team’s new logo appears to more closely resemble a modern-day cruise liner:

Clippers rebrand ahead of Intuit Dome opening

The Clippers’ rebrand, which comes as they prepare to move from Crypto.com Arena into the $2bn Intuit Dome later this year, has also seen the franchise pay homage to its origins in the design of its 2024/25 playing uniforms. For example, they include a jersey with elements of maritime flags on its side panels.

What’s more, there are nautical nods in the revamped aesthetic of the court that is to be installed at the centre of their 18,000-seat new arena.

“Embracing our maritime roots in a modern design, we take inspiration from past and future as we embark on a new era at Intuit Dome,” the Clippers said.