Bidwill said the process began a few years ago.
“We were looking at it, our fans were talking about it, our players were talking about it, and it was something I wanted to do,” he said. “It was important to me that we respect the team’s history and some of the traditions, but also evolve this uniform into something that our fans, players and everyone else will embrace.”
On the home red jersey, “ARIZONA” is emblazoned on the front for the first time, above the number. Silver perforated twill numbers are outlined. “Protect The Nest” embroidered inside collar. On the away white uniform, silver and red stripes are visible across the shoulder of the shirt and shorts, with the numbers outlined in black and a “birdband” stitched to the inside of the collar. The White Helmet for both devices features a silver face mask, a larger bird’s head logo optimized in 3D, and silver foil to give it sparkle, just like the alternate Black Helmet previously received with red foil.
On the alternate black uniform, there are silver and red stripes on the shoulder and pants, with silver stripes outlining the twill numbers and the “bird band” inside the collar. The alternate black helmet, which was introduced last season, also got the larger logo.
“The three main things we focused on were, how do we tell the traditional story and amplify some of the elements of the past, how do we make it through the lens of modern classics so that it feels fresh and unique and different to the franchise, and also how do we include all the fans in Arizona and the players as well, to really get people excited about what Comes with that uniform?” said Kristi Luzonis, director of licensing and the design team at Nike, which worked on the redesign.
Nike had representatives go to State Farm Stadium and the Dignity Health Training Center, walk around, take pictures, and use that information as an anchor to the idea process. Details run deep like the perforated numbers representing the corrugated metal visible around the stadium, the monochromatic logo echoing the branding, or the silver much like the exterior of the stadium.
“We’re testing every possible iteration,” Lauzonis said of the Nike Vapor FUSE (Field Utility Special Edition) apparel.
It all came later, much later than the process originally started in 2019. COVID first stalled and then affected the timeline going forward. Usually, much of the design work is in person, looking at fabric samples and making decisions face-to-face.
Instead, Zoom calls were the norm, slowing the back and forth. Supply chain issues were also raised. Bidwell said the hope was to get a new uniform for 2022, but it didn’t materialize.
“It’s time to update it,” Bidwill said.
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