Nike, now the NBA's official jersey provider, yesterday unveiled new uniforms for the '17-18 season that "dispense with traditional 'home' and 'away' team designations," according to Rory Carroll of REUTERS. The home team now will "instead pick from four primary uniforms to be worn at all home games and visiting teams will choose a contrasting uniform within their own assortment." White "'Association' uniforms will replace the typical home jersey, while the 'Icon' version uses the team's primary color and replaces the road uniforms." Nike will "reveal the two remaining uniforms in the coming months" (REUTERS, 7/18). ESPN.com's Darren Rovell noted the new jerseys are "lighter than previous NBA jerseys and more flexible, better designed to move with the player." Other changes include a "stitched logo, which raise it off the jersey, bigger armholes and tweaked collar shape." Nike said that the new jerseys will "partly be made out of recycled plastic bottles." The jerseys also have the "raised Nike swoosh, which will be on retail versions" (ESPN.com, 7/18). USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt noted the jerseys are also "made of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester." Meanwhile, eight teams will have a "Classic Edition uniform that 'celebrates some of the most iconic uniforms in league history.'" All uniforms will include the Nike logo -- except for the Hornets, which will "use the Jumpman logo." Nike’s "on-court NBA collection also includes new tights and socks" (USATODAY.com, 7/18).
FRESH LOOK: CBSSPORTS.com's Jack Maloney wrote to expect "plenty of color vs. color uniform matchups next season" thanks to the end of the traditional home and away designations. The option of four primary uniforms is a "neat little wrinkle by the league, and it should be interesting to see what changes there are for each team's new look -- especially the 'athlete's mindset' and 'community' jerseys, each of which sound like they could lead to some awesome designs" (
CBSSPORTS.com, 7/18). ESPN.com's Paul Lukas noted some teams will "definitely be getting new uniform designs," but "many teams will likely be sticking with their basic designs" (
ESPN.com, 7/17). YAHOO SPORTS' Henry Bushnell wrote NBA teams "aren’t getting a complete makeover, but there are some slight differences." The "most important innovations are to the material." There will be "more than 120" jersey designs in total -- "at least four per team." The Classic edition "will be released in the fall" (
SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/18). ESPN's Jemele Hill said, "Players want options these days, and you know they're doing this to make more money." But ESPN's Michael Smith asked, "Can we just keep some things sacred, please?" (
"SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/18).
