Is Orlando Magic jersey due for a change?

It seems every few seasons, the Orlando Magic change their jerseys to signal a new era. The Sporting News suggested the Orlando Magic jersey change.

The Orlando Magic have worn the same pinstripe callback jersey for six years now, coming up on their seventh. That is a long time for a Magic jersey.

In 26 years of play, the Magic have worn four different jerseys. There were the beloved pinstripe uniforms worn from 1990-1998 (a lengthy nine seasons!), followed by the inlaid star design that brought a more modern look to the team from 1999-2003 (five years!). Then there were the disastrously plain uniforms worn from 2004-2008. And today’s current iteration.

Today’s uniforms are kind of a blend of modern style with the call back to the traditional pinstripes. Many Magic fans would just prefer the team go back to the original pinstripe design, but that is not happening except for special nights.

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I personally like the current iteration of the Magic’s uniforms. The font is unique. The pinstriped are a nice callback but not overpowering by any stretch of the imagination. It is a good blend of new and old.

Not everyone like pinstripes though. Not everyone likes the Magic’s efforts with their current uniforms because of that or because of the way the font or the pinstripes interplay.

And with Nike about to take over the NBA’s apparel contract in 2017, teams are going to get jersey changes. It is a good excuse to change some things up if you are a team with a uniform in need of it.

Phil Hecken of UniWatch, writing for Sporting News, lists the Magic as one of his teams in need of a new jersey when the switch comes. He writes:

"Yes, the team just got new uniforms a couple years ago, and they attempted to faux-back to the pinstripe beauties they wore a generation ago. It was a nice idea, but in practice, the uniforms just aren’t attractive. The color scheme of blue and black is fine, but the pinstripes need to go. Fortunately, under Nike, we probably won’t see any gray sleeved alternates."

Well get ready for neon blue with Nike. Oh god, I put that idea in the universe.

This design obviously does not work for Hecken. It is not for everybody obviously. Even if they seem to fit in perfectly for the team right now — perhaps a little too stylized and modern, but nothing horrible — teams are constantly looking to change and rebrand themselves.

Orlando seems to go through a jersey design with each “era” of Magic basketball. Once they make the Playoffs again, we might see a new identity take shape when the team is ready.

Sporting News already took to redesigning the Magic’s jersey since it was suggested they needed a reboot. Some of the designs they came up with (courtesy of Sporting News illustrator Paul Howe) are actually pretty good — I especially like the idea they have for the Grizzlies’ new uniforms.

The Magic uniform turns out decent. Certainly unique:

Design by Paul Howe of Sporting News /

Here is Howe’s explanation for his redesign.

"I wanted to somehow bring shapes in to the front that would emphasize the “Magic” text, and the black is used to bring out the best of the blue."

It is an interesting design with the color on the shoulders rather than where they might traditionally be placed. And the pinstriped remain on the shoulders and sides. It is a good twist and evolution of the current uniforms and something somewhat unique. That is always a good thing from a uniform.

Again, you just have to ask is there anything wrong with the Magic’s current uniforms? I guess it is a matter of style and preference at the end of the day.

There are certainly some good ideas for Orlando Magic jersey ideas out there. Maybe the switch to Nike will bring a new style to many teams. Maybe the Magic will be one of those.

I would not want to see too many changes to the jersey. It seems to fit the team’s general style and brand at the moment. The only reason to change the look might be to separate themselves from the Dwight Howard days even more.

Next: Tobias Harris: Experience will guide the Magic forward