D-League Teams Lacking Personality in Uniforms
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As a fan, what is often the first thing people take notice of, when getting interested in and/or begin to follow teams? For me, especially as a young lad, it was team logo's, uniforms, and colors. Two of those three aren't a huge issue for the D-League as they generally have a pretty nice assortment of team logo's and colors. The third, however, is a bit of a different story, and this is where I'm talking about team uniforms.
The uniforms that players in the D-League are required to wear night in and night out, seriously lack in style and diversity. Essentially each team wears a solid colored uniform with the same Adidas stripes down the side of both the Jersey and pants. The Jersey color is either white or the team's primary color and trimmed in the teams secondary color. There is also a team logo on the front, with name and number on the back, and the strange part about that is that the player names are under the numbers. I suppose the reason for that is so that they can put the NBA Team logo above the numbers if the player has been designated for assignment by an NBA team. The pants also have a team logo, and NBA Affiliation logo on the trunks.
I also realize that the D-League isn't exactly the draw that the NBA is, but the fans that dole out money to purchase season tickets (as this guy has recently done) and who show up for each and every game to cheer on their hometown teams, deserve better. Would the cost of uniform design really be so much that teams can't afford to have them done? Or was this decision a mandate from the league in an effort to keep things toned down so as to not confuse people about the difference between the D-League and the NBA itself? Seriously, the minute anyone steps foot into a D-League arena, I think its pretty obvious that you're not showing up to watch an NBA game.
My hometown team is the Tulsa 66ers, and if they'd have a had a much nicer uniform design, there is no question that I'd have bought multiple different jerseys, as I have for the state's new NBA team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. So as far as merchandising goes, I'm sure it's small potatoes compared to the NBA itself, but it would very much make a difference if the teams uniform's and merchandise in general had more personality. The D-League shouldn't underestimate the power of being unique, because to a lot of us, it makes a difference. But perhaps they have done enough research to know that the cost of making things unique outweigh the difference it would make in merchandise sales.
Anyway, the point of this post is, am I the only one that feels this way? Or do I just need to shut up and enjoy some great basketball and unbelievably low prices for the kind of seats we get to enjoy? I'm curious to hear what other D-League fans think, because for me, I feel like I'm missing out on what could be an even better experience than it already is.
This is a FanPost, not the work of the author of Ridiculous Upside. The People speak! Questions or comments about this post should be addressed in the comments. To issue a complaint about this FanPost, please email ridiculousupside (at) gmail (dot) com.
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I couldn't agree more
And the thing is, there are so many designers out there that you don’t have to break the bank to find someone who could create something really nice. At the end of the day, one thing that will always be prevalent in minor league sports from an administrative level is doing the least amount of work possible.
by hkf on Apr 27, 2025 7:12 PM EDT reply actions
Idaho Stampede.....2 colors
pathetic. I bet DJ could duct-tape something sexier.
by Aisander D on Apr 27, 2025 11:28 PM EDT reply actions
Trust me DJ already has something sexier...
…than the typical (and they are all typical) DLeague uniform. The DLeague uni’s are basically one step up creativity wise from what you would get in your local city rec league. Individually they look fine - but when compared to others (like in a game) the sameness of the design overwhelms everything else.
On a personal aside, I am really not a fan of the players name beneath the number. Again, if one or two teams did it that way it would be fine but because everyone does it that way it just is the biggest reminder that the league bought the jerseys on wholesale.
Ice - the Stamps colors are actually blood red and black trimmed with basketball orange. Lets just say it grows on you eventually - although being in Boise I don’t get stuck seeing their away jerseys unless I am watching futurecast…which means jersey coloration is the least of my worries.
by Rumble on Apr 28, 2025 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Perfect
5 point for using Dee-Jay and sexy in the headline.
Names beneath the number. Really, what is the point?
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 28, 2025 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for posting this
I knew it was an issue for you, but forgot to ask Reed about it. I’ll get it next time!
Personally, I think it might be cost rather than least amount of work possible, though.
Also, speaking of logos and such, the Red Claws plan to unveil their logo this week.
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 27, 2025 11:34 PM EDT reply actions
HOLY S***
I cannot flipping wait for the Red Claws to lay out their mighty mascot/logo skills in the interweb. A humorous post will follow their announcement. I’m going to fire up my photoshop and keep it at the ready.
by Aisander D on Apr 27, 2025 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Can the cost for Jersey designs really cost that much? Clearly they have a contract with Adidas, and a relationship with the NBA. Surely something could be done about each having their own identity in their uniforms.
-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Apr 28, 2025 6:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Perfect
5 points for using “sexy” and “DJ” in the headline.
Also, what is the point of the names below the numbers?
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 28, 2025 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
The only thing that makes sense to me is that they want to put the NBA Team logo above the numbers for NBA players teams who have been designated for assignment. Only reason I say that is because DJ White and Kyle Weaver had the Thunder logo above the numbers.
…I didn’t however pay enough attention to see if that was common practice or not.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Apr 28, 2025 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It is
But is it worth it? Of the 6ish or so NBA players assigned to the D-League team? Many fans won’t even be able to recognize the small patch..
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 28, 2025 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I’m not defending it. Frankly, I think its quite stupid. To me there is no reason they shouldn’t get nearly the exact quality (Style and Design) of uniforms as the NBA.
-This comment brought to you by Mr Pappagiorgio aka Mister P
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Apr 28, 2025 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Especially when they are Futurecasting the games worldwide...
and they end up looking like a local YMCA Rec. League. Or Biddy Ball.
by Aisander D on Apr 28, 2025 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of biddy ball
I like it.
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 28, 2025 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the FP promotion ;)
I don’t know why it bothers me so much, but the first game I went to, I was like why are they playing in NBA Summer league uniforms? lol
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Apr 28, 2025 6:22 AM EDT up reply actions
It's true
Not quite as plain as VSL jerseys, but I see what you’re sayin.
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 28, 2025 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
The jerseys are pretty bad...
atleast they dont all have the same font for their jersey numbers
by Fanaticflashfan.blogspot on Apr 28, 2025 1:39 AM EDT reply actions
Interesting
Looking at that, I think I like the Vipers jerseys. Random question, but why does Fort Wayne use 46, while all others use 35?
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 28, 2025 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Reno and Bakersfield
Their jerseys are pretty nice. The NBA-owned teams (Austin & LA) have good jerseys as well. Tulsa will be getting new colors and even a new logo sometime soon.
by hkf on Apr 28, 2025 2:17 AM EDT reply actions
I heard a few rumblings from around the team after the Thunder bought the team, that perhaps they were going to change the name to Lightning and have their colors match that of the NBA team. I wonder what they are planning to do. I haven’t heard anything in a while.
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Apr 28, 2025 6:24 AM EDT up reply actions
That would be pretty awesome
if they actually went through with changing the name to the Lightning. And matching color schemes would probably work well too. Just look at the Toros and D-Fenders, that worked out for them. Plus, affiliate night isn’t such a cock tease for the players, because you’re still wearing the same colors.
by Aisander D on Apr 28, 2025 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Cock tease
That’s a word that I haven’t seen on RU for a long time.
I also like the idea of the Lightning.
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by Scott Schroeder on Apr 28, 2025 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Because Thunder always comes after ...
LIGHTNING!
Ka-chow!
… My brother’s a big Cars fan. Had to say it. :P
"Ben Gordon is a bundle of muscle and clutch. That's all he's made of. Drink BG7 energy drink, you'll grow a pair of balls on your balls."
by Prevenge on May 7, 2025 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
very interesting
I like the concept of teams getting a design person and really personalizing all their jerseys with new looks and attitudes. but i think the problem is that its an Adidas thing that keeps them plain jane
by smiznith on Apr 28, 2025 10:50 AM EDT reply actions
Older teams have the bad jerseys
The D-League used to have every team pretty much have the same jersey. These were the days when the Asheville Altitude played. The new teams have nicer jerseys now but the older teams like Dakota, Sioux Falls and Albuquerque have really simple plain jerseys. The jerseys definitely need to become more creative.
by stneff70 on Apr 28, 2025 11:23 AM EDT reply actions
If the D-League is the place for experimentation...
then these teams should consider some of the crazy Euro-league style jerseys, heck go out on a limb.
by Aisander D on Apr 28, 2025 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Some of the jerseys are fine
Austin’s jersey matches up somewhat with the Spurs, so they can’t help it if it’s kind of boring.
I liked Colorado’s away jerseys. They kind of reminded me of the 1980s Nuggets jerseys without being “terrible” (I think those old Nuggets jerseys’ are goofily charming).
Now writing for Ridiculous Upside, where we think Trey Gilder could be the steal of the draft.
by Jon L on Apr 28, 2025 2:05 PM EDT reply actions
...The comments of this thread have inspired a new Article I just finished up.
Look out for it over at WTLC tomorrow morning, round 5am ish ;-)
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by Mr Pappagiorgio on Apr 29, 2025 10:24 PM EDT reply actions
Cost must be the issue, I agree
but if you want to be successful, you need to look it, and these teams arent cutting it.
I agree they could do a lot better for a very small investment. Heck, why not just eliminate the team logo entirely and put a sponsor logo on the front of the jersey like the English soccer teams do? That would pay for the uniforms right there and leave room for NBA logos on the back.
I really wouldnt mind rocking a jersey with a corporate name on it if it actually looked good.
by warriorsvictim on May 1, 2025 6:37 PM EDT reply actions
Did you have to use that picture?
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by Scott Schroeder on May 1, 2025 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
What's wrong with that picture?
Gotta rep the Stamps for Rumble.
by Aisander D on May 2, 2025 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
But in that "arena"?
Yuck..
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by Scott Schroeder on May 2, 2025 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Just because the big gym in town
was being rented for a High School production of The Wiz doesn’t mean that the Stamps game was really hurt by playing in that “arena.”
by Aisander D on May 2, 2025 7:07 AM EDT up reply actions

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