Will New adidas Jerseys Pop in Stores?

Today the NBA is announcing, in conjunction with adidas, its new NBA Revolution 30 jerseys, which promises to be 30 percent lighter and dry twice as quick as the previous uniforms.

The move is clearly adidas saying, like its competitor Nike has, that they are always thinking about innovating and aren't just the league official apparel sponsor.

But adidas is also a company that is in the business of making money. And the question is, will these new jerseys jumpstart sales at retail?

The purpose of doing all of this wasn't all about retail. Most people aren't going to spring for the $350 limited edition jersey, which is a pro cut version in the player's size that features all the benefits of what the player is getting on the court. That's for autograph hounds.

And just a wild guess here, but I'd say there's no way that more than 10 percent of people who buy league jerseys ever play in them.

Source: NBA

So if the logos and colors haven't been changed — I think adidas and the NBA would have been skewered for that — will fans feel the need to buy a jersey that is now an even slimmer cut than the previous jersey?

The NBA jersey has always faced a challenge as compared to jerseys in the other leagues. Aside from wearing them to games, there's a good argument to be made that they get less use that football, hockey and baseball jerseys.

For most, throwing on an NBA jersey with jeans to match while going out requires an undershirt at least thanks to the cut of the jersey.

Simply put, the cut of the NBA jersey has made it a little more uncomfortable to wear as compared to the other sports. It's not their fault. It is what it is?

That's why I'm not yet sold that the slimmer, lighter cut for the players is worth the slimmer look for the fans, especially since at the $45 replica retail price those fans won't be getting many benefits of the Revolution 30.

Then again, I could be wrong. Maybe fans just spring for the new one and move up a size.

Questions? Comments? [e-mail]