The Los Angeles Clippers decided to completely re-brand themselves this past summer. Whether it was because second-year owner Steve Ballmer just wanted a whole new era to start in every possible way or the Clips just wanted to do something to forget their playoff collapse, the franchise was clearly trying to move ahead – quickly.
The basic designs were amateurish at best and didn’t look like much time was spent on them, while the reception around the league wasn’t exactly endorsing. This was the new Clippers, though, and there wasn’t much anyone could do about it.
At least it wasn’t just the same ol’, same ol’ with a team that was one win away from their first trip to the Western Conference Finals, you know, ever. Again, it may have had nothing to do with that and no matter what it was, we can’t fault an organization for trying to improve it’s brand.
Their new custom basketball uniforms weren’t a hit, but at least their marketing plan didn’t stop there – and neither did the integration of new uniforms.
The Clippers are back with more changes, folks, as they’ve unleashed their “downtown” black uniforms, which will first be showcased on Sunday, November 7th. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan will bust out their newest digs against (who else?) the Houston Rockets. James Harden’s Rockets were in a 3-1 hole in the second round of last year’s playoffs, only to storm back and win three games to advance.
It was a heart-breaking loss, but this new dark edge the Clippers have going, it could be a bold statement. And even if it’s not, it’s shaping up to be a ton of fun.
In addition to the new black Clippers uniforms, the Clippers will be hosting a “downtown event” where a “Big night out meets downtown basketball [at] every Saturday home game”. That’s quite a commitment to fun, but it’s a refreshing look and a different stance that Clippers fans (and NBA fans, really) aren’t necessarily accustomed to.
It’s more than a cool new uni, a theme and some elite basketball, though (as if that weren’t enough). It’s a total event, as the Clippers are also bringing comedy from Funny or Die to the equation, limited edition swag, lasers and wristbands and various prizes.
L.A. is even offering a discount to anyone using the special Saturday night code: DTLAC. Downtown Los Angeles Clippers is a thing now. And so are the black uniforms.
That might have been a joke when the Clippers released their new uniforms in the summer, but now it all seems kind of cool.
Got a take on the Clippers uniforms or just the team in general? Let us hear it in the comments below!
