Teams with the Colors Orange and Blue

If I say “name the first color that comes to mind as one that would work well with orange for a sports team’s colors,” you’d probably say black (as in black and orange sports teams). Maybe it’s the Halloween in us, or just the fact that you can’t get much bolder than black, and the contrast with orange sure is memorable.

But what about orange and blue? Does that color combination work in any on the long list of sports, and are many franchises currently using it?

• New York Mets (MLB)
• New York Knicks (NBA)
• Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)
• The University of Florida Gators (NCAA)

New York Mets (MLB)

Look, any team that was constantly compared to one of the greatest baseball franchises in the history of the game is going to look like it’s coming up short in many regards. And while many will argue the Yankees have some of the greatest uniforms in all of baseball, is that from the actual look and design (and colors) or is it simply because there is so much history and tradition wrapped up in them?

Point is, I’m here to argue that Mets blue and orange is simply a better look. And actually, going back to the intro above, orange, blue, and black? Stunning.

Now, an important note—if you do prefer “history” and tradition, then here is a great fact. Do you know why the Mets are blue and orange?

“One of baseball’s first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York’s departed NL teams, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants.[7] The team’s colors evoke the blue of the Dodgers and the orange of the Giants.”

The HEX codes for the Mets are #002D72 for blue and #FF5910 for orange.

New York Knicks (NBA)

I mean, if you’re a sports team in New York, why create the wheel? (Well, the Knicks were first, so that doesn’t even make sense but I couldn’t think of a better segue.)

While I don’t think the Knicks chose orange and blue for any specific reason, it’s a decision that has stood the test of time, dating all the way back to the 1940s when the team was founded, and continuing strong today.

Well, perhaps not all of the renditions are still going “strong”—it seems not many were fans of these orange bases (although it might be based more on the on-court performance and results, and not so much on the look and design.

For the Knicks’ HEX codes, #006BB6 for blue, and #F58426 for Knicks orange.

New York Islanders

If I didn’t know better, I’d think New York teams were going for something like the Pittsburgh professional sports teams have going for them as the only city where all major franchises follow the same color scheme (black and yellow).

Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)

Yes, another NBA team, but no, nothing like the Knicks (or the Mets). Well, I take that back…orange is still very much used as a statement piece!

This brings up an interesting point, too while we are talking about the orange uniforms. While everyone wants to look their best and present their team with branding fans will remember, sometimes the fact that uniforms serve a purpose is lost in the shuffle!

It’s not the first time we’ve seen something like this, as the whole reason the Minnesota Vikings ever went all purple was to avoid confusion between themselves and their opponents who were both wearing white jerseys.

Oklahoma City Thunder HEX codes include #007AC1 for Thunder blue, #002D62 for blue, #EF3B24 for sunset, and #FDBB30 for yellow.