NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says iconic Larry O'Brien logo might return to Finals courts in 2026
Adam Silver. Image via: Jason Miller/ Getty Images
The NBA could soon bring back a familiar sight to basketball's biggest stage. Following widespread fan criticism over the plain court setup during Game 1 of this year's Finals, Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at the possible return of the iconic Larry O'Brien trophy logo to the court by 2026.
The absence of any Finals-specific graphics sparked backlash online, as fans questioned why the league abandoned what once made the championship atmosphere feel distinct.
Adam Silver teases possible return of Larry O'Brien emblem on NBA Finals hardwood in 2026
Adam Silver. Image: David Dow/ Getty Images
For fans who remember the courts of the 1990s and early 2000s, the Finals always came with their own visual identity. It has been a special decal or a large image of the Larry O'Brien trophy right at center court. According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, Silver acknowledged the recent uproar around its absence, saying, 'Maybe there's a way around it.
To be honest, I hadn't thought all that much about it until I [saw] it [on social media].
I'm nostalgic, as well, for certain things.'
Silver didn't dismiss the feedback. In fact, he explained how impactful visuals can be in today's media landscape: 'I think for a media-driven culture, whether it's people watching live or seeing those images on social media, it's nice when you're looking back on highlights and they stand out because you see that trophy logo or some other indication that it's a special event.
So, we'll look at it.'
While social media helped bring the issue into the spotlight, it's not the first time the league has fielded questions about its court design choices. NBC Sports Boston's Max Molski noted that the NBA hasn't used on-court decals in the Finals since 2020. Before that, custom logos had been a tradition for decades, used in various forms from 1989 to 2014.
One factor that forced the league to ditch these unique court touches was player safety.
According to Silver, the decision wasn't taken lightly: 'One of the reasons we moved away from the logos on the courts is — whether it was perception or reality — there was a sense that maybe the logos added some slipperiness to the court, and it was a change, sort of on the court that was coming just at the time of the finals.'
There's also a matter of superstition and logistics. Silver added, 'Maybe it's for superstitious reasons or just a sense from teams that we shouldn't be changing things around such important competition.'
He emphasized how much planning goes into alternate court designs, particularly when referencing the in-season Emirates Cup: 'It takes a significant amount of time to create new courts in terms of how they're painted, et cetera.
'
Still, fans find it puzzling that the league can pull off extravagant, fully-painted courts for a midseason tournament but not for the NBA Finals.
Also Read:
'It's gotta be': Tyrese Haliburton seemingly revealed the reason behind his stellar performance in Indiana Pacers' Finals Game 1 win
With declining viewership and a vocal fanbase craving the nostalgic flair, bringing back the Finals court decals might be more than just a cosmetic change. It could restore part of what made the Finals feel like a spectacle. Indeed, it appears to be something Silver now seems open to revisiting.
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