In the late 1990s, the logo used by the Kentucky Wildcats became associated with a sensitive sexual scandal. To distance themselves from the allegations, the team had to change their emblem as well.
Meaning and history for Kentucky Wildcats logo
The Kentucky Wildcats is an athletic program at the University of Kentucky, comprising nine men’s and ten women’s teams competing in basketball, soccer, cross country, swimming, diving, and various other sports. It’s a founding member of the Southeastern Conference and all its teams compete in the top tier of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Kentucky Wildcats logo for 1973–1988
Kentucky Wildcats logo for 1988-2004
Kentucky Wildcats logo for 2005-2015
Kentucky Wildcats logo for 2016-Today
Symbol
Compared to the original emblem, the 1989 version was far less realistic. It featured a cartoonish wildcat with large letters “UK” behind it, its claws extended forward aggressively. The club received numerous complaints from people who felt the cat’s tongue resembled a phallus more than a tongue, prompting them to eventually modify the logo. Not only was the tongue altered, but the entire color scheme was changed as well.
