Memphis Grizzlies Re-brand After 13 Seasons

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 21: A general view of center court in FedExForum before the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 21: A general view of center court in FedExForum before the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors on October 21, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Thursday night the Memphis Grizzlies unveiled their plans for next season that featured three new uniforms and a fresh new home court.

Every uniform unveiled Thursday night had a tie to the city of Memphis. Mike Conley and Dillon Brooks took part in the jersey unveiling at FedEx Forum.

Digging into each uniform is going to be fun, because personally, I love seeing a team re-brand with a purpose. What makes me like these even more is that this team, unlike many others that re-branded, didn’t forget where they had come from. The Vancouver designs aroung the neck and shorts in “MEM,” all of it is perfect for the franchise.

White Home(Association) Jersey’s:

The all white home jersey’s are probably the least liked by fans, but for what reason, I am unsure of. The home whites represent the city of Memphis as Grizzlies President of Game Operations Jason Wexler talked about. “The city starts with the river and just kind of works its way out from there. These start with the Beale Street Blue lines down the side, similar to our city, and expand from there.

The link above will give you a closer look at the home whites!

Navy Blue (Icon) Jersey’s:

The Memphis Grizzlies away jersey’s caught me off guard, but are still very nice. Instead of saying “Memphis” when on the road, it seems that the Grizzlies want to brand the franchise on the road.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 20: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during the first half of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 20, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 20: Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during the first half of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 20, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In the picture above you can notice the name difference across the chest last season, and how the Grizzlies want to brand from 2018-19 and on.

Overall the road jerseys are my favorite. The big Grizzly bear on shorts, and the addition of grey to the Grizzly bear makes the bear pop of the uniform.

Beale Street Blue (Statement) Jerseys:

The Memphis Grizzlies alternate jerseys represent where the team has come from. The trim around the shorts and jersey represent their past in Vancouver. The design also represents where the franchise is today with “MEM” in a tribal design. Seeing a jersey represent a franchise’ history is humbling, but seeing it 10 or 15 times a year is going to be cool to see.

FedEx Sponsor:

It seemed like it was meant to be. The Memphis Grizzlies play in FedEx Forum, and it was only right for the Grizzlies to rock the FedEx logo on all three of their uniforms for next decade or so!

New Court?

That is correct, the Memphis Grizzlies will be rocking with a brand new court in the 2018-19 season. It looks brighter, and more open in terms of the amount of color. Yellow is only featured in the eyes of the Grizzly bear at center court. The hardwood is now vertical more than horizontal, and a lot brighter. It is only right to add a new court into the mix with new uniforms, and Memphis had been hinting at a new court for the last few seasons.

Looking at how the Memphis Grizzlies handled the unveiling of the uniforms, and court was perfect. Staying true to the city of Memphis, just like Memphis has always stayed true to the Grizzlies.