Man, Russell Westbrook is out here doing things nobody expected! The guy who basically built the OKC Thunder into a perennial winner just dropped some serious wisdom about the design of OKC United's new soccer club crest. We're talking about an NBA icon, the 2016-17 MVP, nine-time All-Star, and multi-time scoring and assist champ, still giving back to his first NBA home, seven years after he last laced up for them. This isn't just about money, it's about deep roots.
Brodie's Backing a New Team and a Whole New Look
So get this: Westbrook, still only 37, is a notable investor in OKC's upcoming soccer club, OKC United, which is set to join the USL Championship in 2028. They're even building a new stadium downtown. It's wild to see Brodie, yeah, the guy who averaged a triple-double in four seasons, putting his energy into soccer, but hey, the man's always pushing boundaries. He and Jalen Williams are putting in work to get this team off the ground. And when it came time to unveil the team's name and logo, Westbrook was right there, helping design the OKC United crest alongside acclaimed branding designer Matthew Wolff. Talk about hands-on!Every Symbol, Every Story: This Crest Is Deep
This isn't some generic badge, you guys. The shield itself is shaped like an arrowhead, a super intentional nod to Oklahoma's Native American heritage. And get this: at its center, you've got an interlocking OKC monogram, sitting inside a ring of 39 sun rays. Why 39? Because it represents each of the 39 tribes headquartered in Oklahoma. That's detail, right? Then there's the zig-zag pattern bordering the shield, pulling inspiration from Jim Thorpe's Sac and Fox name, Wa-Tho-Huk, which translates to "Bright Path." It reflects life's journey, not as a straight line, but as seasons of growth, change, adversity, and success. A ribbon with the club name anchors the whole thing at the bottom. It's not just a pretty picture, it's a history lesson, a cultural tribute, and a statement all rolled into one.Westbrook himself dropped the mic with an official statement about it, and you gotta read this. He wrote, "A crest is more than a logo. It's a mirror. It has to reflect the city, the people and the club all at once, and it has to earn its place on a uniform. Oklahomans are proud and resilient. They don't need to be told what they're a part of , they feel it. That's what this crest is built on. Every element ties back to Oklahoma's past, present, and future. When you see it, you know it's OKC." That's 59 words of pure passion and understanding right there. He absolutely gets it.
It's clear Westbrook still feels that deep connection to OKC, the city where he spent 11 seasons, where he and Kevin Durant ushered in that first contending window that saw the Thunder make the 2012 NBA Finals and four Western Conference Finals. You can bet when he eventually hangs up his sneakers for good, they'll officially retire his No. 0 jersey. But for now, get ready for OKC United to hit the USL Championship in 2028 with one of the most meaningful badges in the league. This is a powerful start for them, and it shows you how much an icon can give back.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.