Hawks introduce new-look Pac-Man logo
The Pac-Man logo is back. Call it Version 2.0.
The Hawks unveiled a new secondary logo Thursday in advance of Game 6 of their Eastern Conference playoff series with the Pacers. The team announced the release in the morning and gave away red T-shirts that featured an updated version of the franchise’s iconic image for everyone in attendance.
The Pac-Man logo, used from 1972-95 and associated with some of the best seasons in franchise history, was redesigned. It features a more pronounced hook of the beak and a new eye. The Hawks have had two secondary logos since the Pac-Man version, including the current one that has been used since 2007.
A very similar version of the new secondary logo leaked earlier this season in the release of a video game.
Fans can order merchandise with the new logo at the Hawks’ team website.
Better matchup: The Hawks held a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series because they generally have made the Pacers play an up-tempo style. The Pacers prefer a slow style to make the best of their height advantage.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer raised the issue with his players before the start of the series.
“I thought Bud had a great line going in (to the playoffs),” Kyle Korver said. “‘No matter what the matchups are you, have to make it a good matchup.’ You have to make it a good matchup — just because one team is inside and one team is outside. What if this series was all inside? Then it is a bad matchup for us. We are not the same team. There is a huge difference in the foundation that we are built on. One is more inside, one is a little more outside.
“You have to make it a good matchup. We’ve had moments of doing that well, and we’ve had moments of not doing that well.”
Conference semifinals tickets: If the Hawks advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals — with a win Thursday or Saturday, if necessary — they will face the Wizards in a series that begins Monday in Washington, D.C. The Hawks would host Games 3 and 4 at Philips Arena. Tickets for those games will be on sale Friday morning if the Hawks win Thursday night.
About the Author
Chris Vivlamore is the sports editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has served as reporter and editor at the AJC since 2003.
