Every season, some NFL fans make the same accusation: that the league is rigged. For so-called conspiracy theorists, the NFL manipulates games through refereeing decisions, selective penalties or “convenient” mistakes that end up benefiting certain teams.
Although the theory often seems exaggerated, in recent years a curious coincidence has gained strength that fuels the debate: the colors of the Super Bowl logo.
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The theory behind the Super Bowl logo
The so-called “Super Bowl logo conspiracy” holds that the NFL reveals in advance the teams that will play the most important game of the season through the graphic design of the event. According to this theory, the predominant colors of the logo match the colors of the teams that eventually make it to the Super Bowl.
One of the most cited examples is Super Bowl LVI, whose logo combined orange and yellow tones. That year, the finalists were the Los Angeles Rams, whose main color is yellow, and the Cincinnati Bengals, identified by orange.
Coincidences that fuel suspicion
The pattern seemed to repeat itself in Super Bowl LVII, whose logo featured green and red. The final pitted the Kansas City Chiefs, represented by red, against the Philadelphia Eagles, whose primary color is green.Super Bowl LIX again showed a similar combination of green and red, and again featured the Eagles and Chiefs, reinforcing the idea that it was not just a coincidence.
The case of Super Bowl LVIII and the exception to the rule
Not every year fits perfectly into the theory. Super Bowl LVIII featured a purple and red logo, but the final was contested by the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, teams that do not use purple as a primary color.
However, conspiracy advocates offer their own explanation. They argue that the NFL had to modify its “original plan” following the media impact of the romance between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and singer Taylor Swift. According to this version, the Baltimore Ravens – the only purple team in the AFC – were eliminated in the Championship Game to allow the Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl and capitalize on public interest.
The Super Bowl LX logo and new predictions
The Super Bowl LX logo was unveiled in February 2025 and, unlike previous editions, features a wide range of colors. Although pink is one of the most visible shades, it is ruled out for conspiracy theorists, as no NFL team uses it officially.
In this way, the focus is on four colors: red, blue, yellow and green. These shades correspond to multiple historic league franchises, which opens the door to all kinds of speculation about the possible finalists.
Coincidence or attractive narrative?
For the NFL, the logo theory is nothing more than a coincidence amplified by the power of social media. However, for many fans, these visual similarities are enough to keep alive the suspicion that the league knows in advance the outcome of its most important event. Meanwhile, the logo conspiracy remains part of the modern folklore surrounding the Super Bowl, mixing sporting passion, distrust and entertainment.
