Chevron points North on new Raptors uniforms
Design represents past achievements while marking the team's path forward
We don't know when the Toronto Raptors will next take to the court, but we mostly know what they'll be wearing when they do so.
The Raptors revealed three of the five new uniforms they will sport whenever the 2020-21 season takes place, “showcasing simple but bold design, elements that weave together the lineage of previous uniforms, and a subtle nod to the franchise's origins,” the team said in a news release.
The new uniforms are similar to the red Earned Edition jerseys the Raptors wore for much of their playoff run on the way to the championship in 2019, and feature the “north” pointing chevron as a key element.
“The new Association and Icon Edition jerseys — white and red — both feature a chevron across the chest, meant to symbolize the north, represent the team's past achievements and mark the path forward.”
“Uniforms do matter to players. Our team made the choice to wear the Earned jerseys during the 2019 Finals, for example,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in the release.
“We want to give our players — and our fans — jerseys they're proud to wear, not just because they say Raptors on the front, not just because they're a symbol of our city and country, but because they also look great. I think that's what we've achieved with these.”
The Statement Edition jersey — black with red accents — strives to honour the original Raptors jerseys (the ones some mocked as pinstripe pyjamas but others loved) through dark grey pinstripes.
These uniforms are made of recycled PET bottles, a combination of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester. Each uniform represents about 20 recycled bottles.
“As we began to think about the decade ahead, we aimed to create uniforms that not only reflected our franchise's historic accomplishment in 2019, but also inspired the pursuit of our next championship,” MLSE chief marketing officer Shannon Hosford said.
“Our goal was to continue to evolve our `We The North' Raptors brand identity, highlighting our key chevron design, which is synonymous with the North and our championship, while also providing our fans with some added swagger while they show their support.”
Teams now get four different uniform choices to wear throughout the season and the 16 previous playoff teams get a fifth Earned Edition option.
The City and Earned Edition uniform designs will be revealed closer to the start of the season.
A day earlier, the man who makes sure the Raptors sport the correct, perfectly pressed jerseys, Paul Elliott — who has been with the organization for nearly two decades — was honoured as the NBA's Equipment Manager of the Year.