PORTLAND, Ore. (July 29, 2017) – At first glance, the changes in the Portland
Trail Blazers primary uniforms debuting in the 2017-18 season are subtle, even
to the most ardent of fans. But a closer look reveals a blend of innovation,
environmental sustainability and functionality encased in a design that salutes
the team’s traditional look at home and on the road. With Nike as the NBA’s new
provider of uniforms and on-court products for all 30 teams, the Trail Blazers
publicly revealed the first two editions of their new uniforms today during the
annual Rip City 3 on 3 outdoor basketball tournament.
Gone are the old-school descriptors of “home” white and “away” dark uniforms.
Instead, the “Association” (traditional white) and “Icon” (dark primary color)
editions will represent the heritage of the Trail Blazers, while still
delivering classic applications of the team’s scarlet and black colors and the
newly-modernized iconic Pinwheel logo. Two more specialty editions of the team’s
uniforms will be introduced this fall and winter to create a collection of four
on-court ensembles for the Trail Blazers.
“With Nike as our new partner for NBA on-court product, we’re pleased with the
outcome of a journey to upgrade our team’s look that actually first began with
fan input in 2015,” said Chris McGowan, President & CEO of the Trail Blazers and
Rose Quarter. “It was important to pay homage to the classic elements of our
team colors and logo, which was a priority for our fans. At the same time,
Nike’s world-class levels of creativity and innovation are still evident. The
new uniforms will add even more excitement to the upcoming season.”
On-court performance is paramount for an NBA athlete, which was a priority focus
as Nike built a new silhouette for the uniforms. Traditional fabrics were
replaced with lighter-weight materials that wick away sweat 30% faster and allow
for a much quicker drying time. Other design advancements include armhole, neck
and side seam changes to eliminate distractions and improve overall range of
motion.
Perhaps the most stunning innovation came through Nike’s commitment to
environmental sustainability as part of the uniform’s textile composition.
Through the use of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester, each individual NBA
uniform represents approximately 20 recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
plastic bottles. This allowed Nike to still deliver superior athletic
performance while reducing environmental impact.
“For sustainability to be transformative, it should start at the sketchpad and
flow through the entire process of making a product, delivering a product and
even play a role in the after-life of a product,” said Hannah Jones, Nike’s Vice
President of Innovation Accelerator and Chief Sustainability Officer.
Other visible updates to the Trail Blazers new “Association” and “Icon” editions
include:
When the final two NBA uniforms editions are released in the coming months, they
will draw special inspiration from each team’s players for one version; and the
local communities and cultures for the other, according to Dewayne Hankins,
Chief Marketing Officer for the Trail Blazers.
“The full impact of the on-court makeover for us is still to come,” said
Hankins. “And while we’ve embraced the tradition of what made our previous
uniforms successful with our new Icon and Association uniforms, we look forward
to sharing our full uniform set in the coming months and sharing something
unique and authentic to the Trail Blazers.”
To view the exciting new Trail Blazers “Association” and “Icon” uniform
editions, please click here: trailblazers.com/uniforms.
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