Cleveland Guardians (2022)

The Cleveland Guardians rebrand, while historically necessary, stands out for its lazy execution that feels like a placeholder. The clip-art winged G logo and flat color palette lack the energy of a major league team, and the name Guardians was chosen from a fan survey that had 1,200 entries but no rigorous design process. Over 40% of fans surveyed in 2023 still refer to the team as “the former Indians,” indicating a failure to establish a new identity. When compared to the LA Chargers at #4, who at least tried to modernize their typography, the Guardians offer no creative ambition—only a safe, corporate swap that has aged poorly.