The Indianapolis Indians, the longest-running minor league baseball franchise in the country, announced a comprehensive brand modernization on Sept. 29, introducing a new primary logo and color scheme set to fully debut in the 2026 season.
The redesign, the result of a year-long collaborative process, marks a significant visual update while intentionally preserving the team’s historic nickname. The new identity aims to bridge the club’s 123-year legacy with a contemporary look fit for the future.
The centerpiece of the rebrand is a new primary logo that reinterprets the classic “Chief Wahoo” caricature, which was retired from on-field use in 2020, with a sleek, stylized “I” shaped to resemble a feather. The mark utilizes a new color palette of Indy Navy and Victory Red, accented by a stark white and a new “Racing Grey” – a nod to the city’s automotive legacy.
In a statement, Indianapolis Indians Chairman and CEO Bruce Schumacher emphasized the thoughtful balance between tradition and progression.
“This is more than just a new look; it’s a symbol of our commitment to honoring our past while embracing the future of Indianapolis and our fans,” Schumacher said. “We believe this new brand identity respects our history and establishes a vibrant, inclusive visual language for the next generation of Indians baseball.”
The team clarified that the “Indians” name will remain, stating the new branding focuses on “baseball, community and the city of Indianapolis” rather than any specific imagery. The redesign includes a full suite of logos, including a standalone “INDY” wordmark and a secondary logo featuring a baseball set against the outline of the state of Indiana, anchored by a star denoting Indianapolis’s location.
The process involved feedback from fans, community leaders and Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates, the team’s parent club. The organization stated the goal was to create a cohesive and versatile identity system that resonates broadly while maintaining its deep-rooted affinity to the city.
The full transition, including new merchandise and completely updated ballpark signage, will be completed for the 2026 season, allowing the organization to implement the change comprehensively.
The move represents the most significant visual overhaul for the franchise in decades, signaling a new era for the cornerstone Indianapolis institution as it prepares to build on its rich history with a fresh face for the modern fan.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook and TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
