This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(January 2012) |
Athird jersey,alternative jersey,third kit,third sweateroralternative uniformis ateam jerseyoruniformthat asports teamcan wear instead of itshomeoutfit or itsaway outfitduring games, often when the colors of two competing teams' other uniforms are too similar to contrast easily.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/CFL_SSK_Jersey_2024.png/220px-CFL_SSK_Jersey_2024.png)
Alternative jerseys are a lucrative means for professional sports organizations to generate revenue, by sales tofans.Of North American sports leagues, theNational Football Leaguegenerates $1.2 billion annually in jersey sales, with theNational Basketball Associationsecond, selling $900 million annually.[1]Another use of the alternative uniform is for identifying with causes, like theCentral Coast Marinerswear an alternative pink kit onpink ribbonday.[2][3]
Extra alternative uniforms orfourthandfifth kitsare not commonly used, but are sometimes required when teams' other uniforms cause color clashes, or the uniforms are unavailable to use. In cases where teams have worn more than three kits in the same season, the extra kits were usually recycled from previous seasons.
Third-choice jerseys or uniforms are used in all fivemajor professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.
Thirdkitsare commonplace in professional Europeanassociation footballand in some professional Europeanrugby unionclubs. Alternative uniforms are common inAustralia's two biggest domestic leagues, theAustralian Football League(Aussie rules) andNational Rugby League(rugby league).
Background
editAs a general rule in most sports, the home team has the privilege to select its desired color first, and the visiting team must then choose a suitable contrasting color. The "third" jersey should be distinct from the "first" (home) and "second" (away) and thus a visiting team should always have at least one suitable alternative choice. The actual choice may be guided by tradition, but modern sports leagues often impose specific rules, especially in professional leagues.
For home and away jerseys in North America, historical convention has often dictated the colors used by teams in a given league. Teams generally have one jersey which is primarily in a team color, and another jersey which is primarily white (or another light color) and accented with a team color. "White at home" is the convention in baseball (MLB), basketball (NBA,NCAA basketball,andW NBA), minor league professionalhockey(AHLandECHL), andcollege hockey."White whileaway"is the convention in football (NFL,CFL,NCAA football), major league professional hockey (NHL), and professionallacrosse(NLLandMLL).Association football(MLS) does not have a "white at home" or a "white while away" convention.
The NHL (and formerly the NBA ) enforces the color/white rule strictly; any NHL team seeking to wear white at home must get express permission from the league office to do so. In minor league hockey, the rules are set in both the AHL and ECHL where the team wears white jerseys at home during one half of the season, then wears the color jerseys during the other half at home, and vice versa on the road.[4]In the NFL, the rules state that the home team has the first choice of color, with thevisiting teamforced to choose a contrasting color; an exception wasColor Rush,in which uniform choices were coordinated by the league itself.[5]
Starting with their uniform contract withNikethat begins with the2017-2018 season,the NBA has abolished the color/white rule.[6]Instead, each team will designate whether their white uniform, now dubbed the "Association Edition," or their colored uniform, called the "Icon Edition," will be the home uniform, with the other becoming their designated away uniform.
In American sports,throwback jerseysare generally only used for special team games and not for the "third" purpose. In American football a third jersey may be athrowback uniformbased on designs the team used in the past. In association football, meanwhile, it is more commonly a radically different design.
American football
editNational Football League
editTheNFLwas the last of the major professional sports leagues to adopt the third jersey rule in 2002, with the only exceptions being the1994 season,when teams issued athrowback uniformin honour of the league's 75th Anniversary. Initially, the NFL rule stated that a team may wear their third jersey only once a year, however, after one year this restriction was increased to two times a year, and then three soon after. Some teams have exceeded the limit; the2017 Baltimore Ravenswere an example, wearing their all-black uniforms twice that season, and the less-frequent black jerseys on white pants once. There are currently no rules on wearing alternative pants. Teams are only permitted to wear alternative jerseys once in playoff games (except theSuper Bowl,where teams must wear their standard uniforms); the only team to do so (other than in 1994) was the 2008San Diego Chargers.In 2021, the Los Angeles Rams were permitted to wear their white alternate uniforms for Super Bowl.[7]In the past, rules allowed for teams to wear their third jersey two times in the regular season and once in the preseason until 2010. In 2011 teams were no longer allowed to wear their third jersey in the preseason.[8]However, there have been some exceptions since 2011. Beginning in 2018, the NFL began allowing teams to wear their alternates three times, and allowed two different alternates to be worn during the season.
Some teams will generally use one of their third jersey allotments against a particular division opponent each year. For instance, the Los Angeles (formerly San Diego) Chargers would frequently wear their popular alternate powder blue jerseys (that was introduced in 2007) at home against theOakland Raiders,while theHouston Texanswere known to wear their alternate "Battle Red" uniforms at home against theJacksonville Jaguars,and thePittsburgh Steelersusually wore theirthrowbacksfrom 2007 to 2011 at home against thearchrivalBaltimore Ravens.TheNew York Giantswere known to wear their alternate red jerseys at home against theDallas Cowboysuntil the red jerseys were retired in 2009. TheLos Angeles Ramshave frequently worn their throwback uniform against theSan Francisco 49ersin recent years. TheWashington Commanderswear their alternative uniform on home games to commemorate their annual homecoming game once a year since 2012.
When wearing their third jerseys, especially if the team is wearing athrowback uniform,the team may theme the field around the uniforms. When theNew York Jets,for instance, wore their 1960–1962 "Titans of New York" throwbacks at home, they painted the field in the Titans blue-and-gold color scheme (The Jets' current color scheme is green and white). In addition, theTampa Bay Buccaneersdressed the field up in orange when they wore their "Creamsicle" throwbacks in 2009.
Teams will generally wear their third jerseys at home, although clubs may wear them as the visiting team as well. TheCarolina Panthersare known to wear their electric blue jerseys on the road (most notably in Tampa) if the home team opts to wear their white jerseys against the Panthers and depending on the circumstance (primarily in warmer weather situations, where home teams will wear white to force the visiting team to have their uniforms absorb heat rather than reflect it). Since introducing a wolf grey alternate in2012,theSeattle Seahawkshave worn their alternates only when on the road. TheDenver Broncoswore their alternate navy blue jersey with blue pants in a game against theDallas Cowboysin 2013, and in 2017 theLos Angeles Chargersalso wore their alternatepowder bluejersey against the Dallas Cowboys for a Thanksgiving Day matchup despite Dallas wearing navy blue. TheNew York Jetshave worn their Titans throwback uniform once in 2007 against theMiami DolphinsatDolphin Stadiumin Miami Gardens, and in 2017 theBuffalo Billsalso wore their white throwback uniform against the Miami Dolphins in a week 17 meeting when Miami was also wearing their throwbacks. The Tennessee Titans, who switched back to navy as the primary color in 2015, wore their alternateColumbia bluejersey with white pants on the road in 2016, 2017, and 2018 when their home opponent forced them to wear their dark colors. The Las Vegas Raiders, who previously wore their white jersey with silver numbers for the color rush promotion from 2016 to 2017, wore the alternates for road games at San Francisco in 2018 and at the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020.
Because thefootball helmetis such a significant and visible part of the football uniform, some teams also wore alternate helmets when wearing their third jersey. This was particularly true for throwback uniforms, such as those worn by theCowboys(white),Patriots(white),Steelers(yellow),Jets/Titans(blue), andBuccaneers(white). The NFL outlawed the use of alternate helmets beginning in the 2013 season. This has had impact on some teams wanting to wear their throwback jerseys while other teams are not affected by the limitation.Philadelphia EaglesownerJeffrey Luriehas tried to persuade the league to reverse its one-helmet policy, to allow the Eagles to wear matchingkelly greenhelmets and jerseys.[9][10]However, beginning in 2022, teams will be allowed to wear an alternate helmet if they so choose.[11]
Outside of league-wide promotions, the only team to not have had an official third uniform as of now are theKansas City Chiefs.
Color Rush
editFor the 2015 season, the NFL debuted a "Color Rush" jersey concept for select Thursday games (Thursday Night Footballand oneThanksgiving Daygame) in celebration of 50 years of games being broadcast in color. The games featured, mostly, both teams wearing one color matching jerseys, pants, socks and shoes, specially designed to clash with the color of the other team.
The games were as follows:
- November 12:Buffalo Bills(Red) atNew York Jets(Kelly Green)
- November 19:Tennessee Titans(Titans Blue) atJacksonville Jaguars(Bold Gold),
- November 26:Carolina Panthers(Panthers Blue) atDallas Cowboys(White, due tosuperstitions about wearing colored jerseys),
- December 17:Tampa Bay Buccaneers(Red) atSt. Louis Rams(Yellow Gold).[12][13][14][15]
For 2016, all NFL teams had Color Rush uniforms, although nine teams did not wear them on the field during the 2016 season.[16]The 2017 season also featured Color Rush games, but the Redskins (wore all burgundy combo) and Browns did not wear their color rush uniforms. The program as a whole is no longer required prior to the 2018 season; teams have the option of whether or not they want to wear their color rush uniforms for the Thursday night games and can wear them beyond that point.
College football
editAlthough uniforms are much less regulated at thecollegiate levelcompared to theNFL,alternate uniforms – and even regular uniform redesigns – are generally less common[dubious–discuss]due to many teams' respective histories and traditions surrounding a particular jersey color or uniform combination.
Ole Misswas one of the earliest programs to use two different jerseys, wearing the school colors of navy blue and red depending upon the game.
Recently, however, many teams have begun to experiment with alternate uniforms and helmets, especially teams whose uniforms are provided byNike.Since the late 2000s, Nike has provided theUniversity of Oregon Duckswith modular uniform systems consisting of as many as four color choices for jerseys, pants, helmets, socks and other components, allowing the Ducks to select a new combination for nearly every game.
One of the more famous third jerseys is that of theUniversity of Notre Dame.The team wears either white or navy blue for most games, but occasionally special kelly green jerseys with gold numbers, evocative of the "Fighting Irish", are chosen for a major contest.
Association football
editThird kits traditionally started in European competition as a way of marking the occasion and existed in association football at least as early as the 1930s. Until 1989–90,[17]theFA Cupcompetition rules stated: "Where the colours of the two competing clubs are similar, both clubs must change unless alternative arrangements are mutually agreed by the competing clubs".[18]Away kits were often similar as well, therefore third kits were worn in the1948 FA Cup FinalbyManchester Unitedand the1950 finalbyArsenal.[19]Similar rules were employed by European governing bodyUEFA,with Manchester United winning the1968 European Cup Finalin a blue third kit.[19]
Teams sometimes needed to find makeshift third kits for their players.[17]One notable example beingFrancehaving to wear the green-and-white stripes of local clubC.A. Kimberleyfor their1978 World Cupmatch againstHungary,as both teams were only equipped with their white change shirts for the game.[20]
Third kits in international football are less common; both teams are typically advised to change colours in the event of a home kit clashing.[21]Englandprepared light blue third kits for the1970and1986 World Cups,which were only worn for the former,[19]andSpainintroduced a white third kit for the2014 World Cupat the insistence of FIFA.[22]
Since the 2000s, most clubs in major European leagues have used a third kit, or had one in reserve. Replicas of the kits are usually sold at club merchandise shops. Sometimes, a previous season's away kit is retained if a clash arises. Clubs sometimes also assign a third kit as their secondary or even primary kit for certain competitions and vice versa.[23]
One notable incident occurred in 1996, whenManchester Unitedchanged into their blue and white third kit – mainly used as their cup away kit – at half-time, with managerAlex Fergusonblaming the greyaway shirtfor several sub-par performances.[24]Ferguson commented, "The players couldn't pick each other out.[...] They said it was difficult to see their team-mates at distance when they lifted their heads".[25]Newcastle Unitedhad to wear itssky bluetraining kit during a 2022 match againstBrighton & Hove Albion,because its home kit (black and white), away kit (navy blue) and third kit (white) were all deemed too similar to the blue and white home kit of Brighton & Hove Albion.[26]
Baseball
editMajor League Baseball
editAfter decades of wearing the sameuniforms,Major League Baseballteams began to experiment with numerous designs in the early 1970s, ranging from popular designs (such as theOakland Athletics' pullover jerseys that most MLB teams later adopted) and not so popular (such as theChicago White Soxwearing shorts, or theCleveland Indianswearing all red).
Among such designs that were also tested were third jerseys, to break the traditional mold that baseball teams wear white uniforms at home, and gray on the road. This began in 1972 when the A's flamboyant owner,Charles O. Finley,introduced new uniforms to the team. Taking after the lead of thePittsburgh Pirates,the jerseys were pulloverspandexthat would later catch on in MLB (though this would be phased out by the early 1990s in favor of the more traditional button-down jerseys), but by going one step further than the Pirates, the A's introduced alternate gold and green jerseys. The gold jerseys, lighter in color, were considered "home" alternates while the darker green jerseys were considered "away" alternates.
Soon, many teams caught on with different colored jerseys. The Pirates even went as far as to having a rotation of which jerseys to wear, matching white pinstriped, gold, and black pants to wear with jerseys of the same color. The whitepinstripeswere later phased out in favor of solid white.
TheNew York Yankeeshave generally shunned the practice of third jerseys. The Yankees wore three different jerseys in 1911, 1916, and most recently in 1943 according to the Dressed to the Nines database maintained by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In recent years, the Yankees have wornthrowback uniformsfor single games in 1996 and 2012.[27]TheDetroit Tigersalso do not have a third jersey, but on May 7, 1995, the team wore an alternate navy jersey with a tiger stepping through a white old english "D" as their logo. It was the only time that team wore a third jersey. Third jerseys otherwise remain popular in baseball today, either as an alternate design or as a throwback known as "Turn Back the Clock Night." TheMilwaukee Brewers,for example, have worn a variation of their 1978–1993 home uniforms for every Friday home game. In 1999, the Seattle Mariners hosted the Kansas City Royals for a game where both teams wore "futuristic" uniforms meant to represent the year 2027 (what will be the Mariners 50th season). The "Turn Ahead The Clock"promotion was so successful that it was copied the next year by 20 MLB teams, this time representing the year 2021 (due to sponsorship by the real estate companyCentury 21); however, the jerseys were roundly ridiculed and have not been seen since.
TheToronto Blue Jayschange from their traditional blue and grey jersey to a red alternate jersey everyCanada Day(July 1) to help celebrate the national holiday (and with it, a cap with a red maple leaf on it, which is Canada's national symbol). In 2007, the Jays announced that as part of the team's popular "Flashback Friday" promotion, the team would use replica uniforms based on the powder-blue road uniforms used in the 1980s at all Friday night home games, starting with the 2008 season. To complete the look, the Jays also wore the original blue and whitecaps,with their traditional logo on the front of the uniform as well as on the caps. In 2017, to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary, the Blue Jays wore alternate red jerseys and caps for every Sunday home game.[28]TheTampa Bay Rayswore a black alternate from 1998 to 2000 when they were the Devil Rays, and from 2005 to 2007 they wore green alternate jersey worn both at home and away on selected games. When they changed their name to the Rays, they introduced an alternate navy blue for home and away games to go along with their white and gray uniforms. In 2010 they added light blue jerseys to be worn only on Sunday home games. TheCincinnati Redswear a red alternate at many afternoon home games, and theAtlanta Braveswear a red jersey for every home game played on Sunday, while theWashington Nationalswear red for all weekend home games, and in 2011 have done so for most weekend road games as well. ThePittsburgh Pirateswore a red alternate for every home game played on Friday during the2007 season,even though red is not an official team color. Since2009,theBoston Red Soxwore a red alternate jersey for Friday night home games and a blue alternate jersey for Friday night away games. Also since 2008, for every afternoon home game, theKansas City Royalswear powder-blue jerseys almost reminiscent of the old jerseys they wore in the 1980s (and in 2010 introduced new powder-blue caps to be worn with these jerseys, though they have since gone back to wearing their normal blue caps). TheSan Francisco Giantswear orange jerseys during all Friday home games. ThePhiladelphia Philliesintroduced an alternate cream-colored uniform (with a blue cap to complete the look) in 2008 and currently wear it for all afternoon home games. Most recently the Mariners revived their teal jerseys from the mid-1990s, to be used on Friday home games. TheSeattle Marinersalso have a navy blue alternate away jersey. In 2015 they also introduced an alternate version of their home uniforms, using the team's classic blue-and-yellow scheme on cream uniforms, to be worn on Sunday home games. TheBaltimore Orioleswear alternate black jerseys (with a cap showing the "O's" script logo) every Friday, regardless of whether they are home or away (home games against the Red Sox would force the latter to wear their regular grey uniforms rather than their navy Friday uniforms), and in 2012 they introduced an alternate orange jersey to be worn during Saturday games. In 2013, theNew York Metsintroduced two different blue alternate jerseys; one has their team name on it (in orange lettering) and is used at home, while the other has their city name on it (in gray lettering) and is used on the road. Prior to that, the Mets wore two black alternate jerseys in a similar fashion as their current blue alternates.
To honor the U.S. military, during Sunday home games, theSan Diego Padresoriginally sported specialcamouflage-colored jerseys (with green caps to match); in 2011 the camouflage jerseys were changed to a brown/tan "desert camo" with a tan cap. Then in 2016, the Padres replaced them with a new "navy camo" jersey (honoring theU.S. Navy) with a blue cap. Also, they released a modernized version of the franchise's classic brown jerseys with brown-and-yellow caps (which was originally worn from 1969 to 1984) to be worn for Friday home games.
In contrast, theChicago Cubsfrequently wear a blue alternate jersey on the road, and not according to the day of the week. This jersey is worn based on the decision of thestarting pitcher(particularly whenCarlos Zambranowas scheduled to start), thus explaining why it is worn more often than other third jerseys.
After the death ofHarmon Killebrewin 2011, theMinnesota Twinsdecided to wear their cream-colored "throwback" third jersey – a direct replica of the uniforms used for most of Killebrew's career – for every home game for the rest of the year.
TheMilwaukee Brewershave two alternate uniforms with the same color, with one featuring the team nickname and used on home games, the other featuring the city name and used on away games; in addition to their regular alternates, since 2011 the Brewers have, during various "Heritage" games, worn uniforms with "Cerveceros"(" Brewers "in Spanish),"Bierbrauer"(German),"Birrai"(Italian) and"Piwowarzy"(Polish); their opponents during those games would usually also have the foreign translation of their own team name on their road uniforms, such as"Piraten"(" Pirates "in German) or"Cardenales"(" Cardinals "in Spanish).
More recently, there is also a trend towards alternate grey uniforms. TheSan Francisco Giantswear a different version of their road grey uniforms, featuring the interlocking "SF" instead of the city name in full. This design is similar to the road uniforms the team utilized in the late 80's. The Dodgers and the Cubs have followed suit in wearing alternate grey uniforms, sporting the team name in front (rather than the city name) for their grey alternates.
All 30 MLB teams wore special colored jerseys with contrasting sleeves on the weekend of August 25–27, 2017, forPlayers Weekend.The Cardinals and Pirates also used these jerseys on August 20, when they met in the MLB Little League Game inWilliamsport, Pennsylvania;both this game and Players Weekend coincided with the2017 Little League World SeriesinSouth Williamsport.Notably, the 2017 Players Weekend marked the first time the Yankees ever placed names on the back of their jerseys.[29]Players Weekend has since become an annual affair, with similar jersey changes for each subsequent event.
The trend toward multiple uniforms of the same color can also lead to on-field mix-ups: in 2011, Brewers pitcherZack Greinke,making a pinch-hitting appearance, accidentally wore the "Bierbrauer"jersey the night before German Heritage Day,[30]while in 2014, just three games into the first season where the alternate was introduced, outfielderJunior Lakeplayed the first inning in a "Chicago"jersey while the rest of the team wore"Cubs".[31]
In 2023, Major League Baseball limited teams to two alternate uniforms in addition to a home and road uniform and a City Connect uniform; this is known as the "4+1 rule".[32]While some teams complied with the rule, including teams such as theSeattle MarinersandTampa Bay Raysreplacing their gray road uniforms with colored tops, MLB allowed theSan Diego Padresto keep their two Sunday camouflage home uniforms in order to maintain their tradition of honoring theUnited States Armed Forces.In addition to the two aforementioned uniforms, the Padres also wear brown tops with sand pants as an alternate road uniform.
Through the 2023 MLB season, the Mariners and Padres have the most alternate jerseys with four. It includes the City Connect jerseys. Diamondbacks, Braves, Orioles, Red Sox, White Sox, Astros, Royals, Marlins, Brewers, Phillies, Pirates, Giants, Rays, Rangers, and Nationals have three. The Cubs, Reds, Guardians, Rockies, Angels, Dodgers, Twins, Mets, Cardinals, and Blue Jays have two. The Athletics have one and the Tigers and Yankees have none.
City Connect
editIn 2021,Nikeand Major League Baseball introduced theCity Connectseries, in which teams unveil alternate uniforms that were a reflection of their community. In a break from recent trends of wearing only colored alternate tops whilst pairing them with either gray or white pants, some designs began incorporating similarly colored pants for the occasion, giving a full-color treatment from shoulders to feet.[33]As of 2024, 28 of 30 MLB teams have City Connect uniform. TheNew York YankeesandOakland Athleticsare the only two teams without a City Connect uniform.
- 2021
- Boston Red Sox;debuted April 17
- Miami Marlins;debuted May 21
- Chicago White Sox;debuted June 5
- Chicago Cubs;debuted June 12
- Arizona Diamondbacks;debuted June 18
- San Francisco Giants;debuted July 9
- Los Angeles Dodgers;debuted August 20
- 2022
- Washington Nationals;debuted April 9
- Houston Astros;debuted April 20
- Kansas City Royals;debuted April 30
- Colorado Rockies;debuted June 4
- Los Angeles Angels;debuted June 11
- Milwaukee Brewers;debuted June 24
- San Diego Padres;debuted July 8
- 2023
- Atlanta Braves;debuted April 8
- Texas Rangers;debuted April 21
- Seattle Mariners;debuted May 5
- Cincinnati Reds;debuted May 19
- Baltimore Orioles;debuted May 26
- Pittsburgh Pirates;debuted June 27
- 2024
- Philadelphia Phillies;debuted April 12
- New York Mets;debuted April 27
- Tampa Bay Rays;debuted May 3
- Detroit Tigers;to be debuted May 10
- Cleveland Guardians;to be debuted May 17
- St. Louis Cardinals;to be debuted May 25
- Toronto Blue Jays;to be debuted May 31
- Minnesota Twins;to be debuted June 14
- Los Angeles Dodgers(second design); to be debuted June 21
Basketball
editNational Basketball Association
editThe concept of the third jersey in the NBA was first introduced when theAtlanta Hawkswore neon green alternate jerseys in addition to their standard blue road and white home jerseys during the1970–71and1971–72seasons. However, it was not until the mid-1990s that third jerseys became a common trend throughout the league.
The1994–95season brought the first wave of third jerseys in the NBA, as the Hawks,Charlotte Hornets,Detroit Pistons,Orlando Magic,Phoenix SunsandSacramento Kingsreleased new alternate uniforms. The trend continued in the1995–96season with theChicago Bulls,Miami Heat,Milwaukee BucksandNew York Knicksintroducing their own third jerseys.
Since then, third jerseys became a regular part of every NBA team's uniform rotation, but at first, not all teams were receptive with the concept. For instance, theBoston CelticsandLos Angeles Lakersinitially refused to join the trend out of respect to tradition, but they eventually unveiled new alternates in the2002–03and2005–06seasons respectively.
The third jersey trend only got stronger when the NBA signed exclusive uniform contracts withReebokand laterAdidas.The Adidas deal, in particular, saw the introduction of additional alternate uniforms in an effort to boost jersey sales; examples include theGolden State Warriors' sleeved alternates and the Heat's monochrome uniforms.
In addition to third jerseys, there are also holiday-themed jerseys that are worn only on special occasions. These include the jerseys worn onChristmas Day,Chinese New Year,Mardi Gras(for theNew Orleans Pelicans), andSaint Patrick's Day.
Other alternate uniforms in the NBA include the "Noche Latina" uniforms, military-inspired uniforms, and "Pride" uniforms, all of which were also concepts introduced by Adidas.
NBA teams were only allowed to introduce a new third jersey at least two years after unveiling a new logo and uniform set. This rule has since been relaxed somewhat, following more recent third jersey releases by theUtah Jazz,theBrooklyn Nets,theNew Orleans Pelicans,theNew York Knicks,thePhiladelphia 76ers,thePhoenix SunstheCharlotte Hornetsand theAtlanta Hawks,in which some of the teams release their alternates on the same day as their regular home and away set.
Teams are also allowed to wear their third jerseys as often as desired during the first three rounds of theNBA Playoffsand theNBA Finals.Per the NBA Rule Book, there is no official rule that states that teams are restricted on wearing alternate uniforms or white at home during the NBA Finals. They only requirement stated is from Section VI, c. which states, "The home team shall wear light color jerseys, and the visitors dark jerseys unless otherwise approved. For neutral court games and doubleheaders, the second team named in the official schedule shall be regarded as the home team and shall wear the light colored jerseys." An example of this was when theCleveland Cavalierswon the2016 NBA Finalsin a black sleeved alternate jersey.
This rule concerning uniform designations was eliminated onceNikebecame the uniform provider for the NBA in 2017. In doing so, teams now have the freedom to choose whichever uniform they want to wear, whether it's the "Association" white jersey (formerly the de facto home jersey), the "Icon" dark jersey (formerly the de facto away jersey), the "Statement" alternate color jersey (formerly the de facto third jersey) and the annual "City" and "Earned" jerseys.
Canadian football
editTheCanadian Football Leaguefirst introduced the use of a permanent third jersey on September 6, 1994, when theCalgary Stampederswore black uniforms for theLabour Day Classicagainst theEdmonton Eskimos.[34]The CFL did not have a rule for use of alternate uniforms and teams were able to wear them as often or as little as they liked, a rule that is still in effect. Teams are also able to wear multiple alternate jerseys within the same season, as seen with theMontreal Alouettesduring their2009 campaignwhen they wore alternate black, blue, andthrowback jerseys,in addition to their regular home and away uniforms. Teams are also permitted to wear their third jerseys as the away team, provided that they do not clash with the home team's uniforms. Despite teams having no restrictions with third jerseys, only the Stampeders chose to wear them during the 1990s, presumably due to the league's financial struggles during this decade.[35]As such, noCFL USAteam ever wore an alternate uniform. The Alouettes were the next team to introduce third uniforms in2001when they also wore black uniforms; a colour that was not part of the team's colour scheme. TheSaskatchewan Roughridersfirst wore their black alternates in2002as it became more normal for teams to wear these jerseys. TheBC Lionswore orange retro uniforms twice during the2003 seasonas part of the celebrations for their 50th season, but those were only worn for that season.
In the2005 CFL season,Reebokredesigned the primary home and away uniforms for all nine teams and also introduced new alternate uniforms for six teams, with theHamilton Tiger-CatsandToronto Argonautsabstaining and theSaskatchewan Roughriderskeeping their alternates that they had been using since 2002.[36]Calgary introduced the third iteration of their black uniforms while the Alouettes wore a blue jersey with red numerals.[37]TheBC Lions,having now converted to orange as the primary jersey colour, wore black alternates, theEdmonton EskimosandWinnipeg Blue Bomberswore their own versions of gold alternates, and theOttawa Renegadeswore red alternate jerseys.
For2006,the Tiger-Cats introduced gold alternate jerseys on August 12, 2006, in a game against the Argonauts.[38]This season also saw the first case of both teams wearing alternate uniforms as the Alouettes brought back their black uniforms in a home game against the Eskimos who wore their gold jerseys.[39]The Winnipeg Blue Bombers also wore their alternate gold jerseys as the away team for their playoff game against the host Toronto Argonauts.[40]The Toronto Argonauts were the last CFL team to wear a third jersey as they wore alternate Cambridge blue uniforms on July 26, 2007.[41][42]
The league recognized the history of its teams by having member clubs wearthrowback uniformsbeginning with the2008 CFL seasonwith the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers wearing 1950s-style uniforms for two games featuring both teams.[43]The CFL then had all eight current teams wear 1960s-based uniforms for the2009 CFL seasonand 1970s-based uniforms for the2010 CFL season.[44]These differed from the designated third jerseys in that most were for one season only, except for the Saskatchewan Roughriders white retro jersey and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers royal blue retro jersey that were worn in subsequent seasons. These throwback uniforms were worn to lead up to the100th Grey Cupcelebration.
Following the league-based retro initiative, the league then turned its attention to a modernized take on all nine teams (including the expansionOttawa Redblacks) by introducing Signature uniforms mostly in the2014 season.[45]The Lions first wore their Signature uniforms in2013as part of their 60th season celebrations with the other eight teams following suit the following season. The uniforms were worn twice by each team except for Ottawa who wore theirs three times and Winnipeg who wore theirs once. In2015,Winnipeg abandoned the uniforms altogether, as did the BC Lions, despite their popularity in BC. Every other team wore theirs twice during 2015 except for Hamilton, who wore theirs once onLabour Day.
With the league-wide redesign of uniforms byAdidasin2016,Calgary, Edmonton, and Montreal each retained their signature series uniforms and each wore them twice during the regular season (Calgary also wore theirs in the West Final game). Saskatchewan also wore a modified version of their retro-themed uniforms in two games that year. WhenNew Erabecame the league outfitter in2019,only Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatchewan wore third jerseys and all three were holdovers from the previous three seasons.[46]Ottawa introduced new alternates in 2021 and four teams wore new alternates in 2022.
As of2018,teams are permitted to wear third jerseys during the playoffs, but not for theGrey Cupgame.[47]The2010 Saskatchewan Roughriderswere the last team to wear alternate uniforms for the championship game.
The following list is a recount of all known alternate uniforms worn by member clubs as of the2024 CFL seasonand does not include one-timethrowback uniforms:
- BC Lions– Introduced a black alternate uniform in2005loosely based on the1960s jersey,initially worn with white helmets. Switched to orange helmets with black uniform from2006to2008,including the2006 West finaland94th Grey Cupwin. Worn with black retro helmets in2009and2010seasons. Retired the jerseys in2011wearing white helmets, in the final game atEmpire Field.Introduced gunmetal uniforms, first worn on August 17, 2013, and worn twice during the2013and2014seasons, including an away game in Toronto on August 17, 2014.[48]The Lions did not wear a third jersey again until October 15, 2022, when the team wore a modified version of the gunmetal uniforms.[49]The team also wore these uniforms for their playoff game in2022.[50]The Lions wore a new uniform set in2023,but did not wear a third jersey that year. In2024,the Lions introduced a third iteration of the gunmetal uniforms with new logos which were worn twice in the regular season.[51]
- Calgary Stampeders– First to wear third uniforms when they introduced black alternates with red numerals in1994on September 6 against Edmonton. They were the first team to wear alternates during a playoff game and the first to wear alternates during aGrey Cupgame, which they did in the86th Grey Cupin1998.[34]Those black jerseys were retired following the Grey Cup win and new black alternates with white numerals were unveiled in1999that were worn until2004.They first wore black pants with the black jerseys on October 18, 2002 at home vs. the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[37]The third version of black uniforms were worn on Labour Day in2005and were last worn on September 2, 2013.2011was the first time the Stampeders wore black helmets with the black uniforms.[52]The Signature series uniforms were first worn, also on Labour Day, for the2014 seasonand again from 2015 to 2021. They were also worn for home playoff games from 2015 to 2018. The team introduced new black uniforms in2022which were first worn for the Labour Day game that year and once more in the final home game in 2022, which was repeated in2023.[53]Since 1994, the Stampeders have worn black on Labour Day 20 times.[54][55]
- Edmonton Elks– First wore their gold alternate jersey on September 9, 2005, against the Calgary Stampeders.[56]Wore the gold alternates against the Alouettes in2006as the away team as the Alouettes also wore their alternate uniforms.[39]The club last wore these jerseys on September 7, 2007, again against the Stampeders.[57]The club had no third jersey after the retirement of the gold jersey until the2014 seasonwhen they wore their Signature series green uniforms with the gold "EE" logo. This uniform had been worn at least once each season until the uniforms were rebranded in2022where no alternate uniforms were worn that year. In2024,the Elks introduced green alternate uniforms with green numerals that were worn with gold helmets and green pants, which were worn three times that year.[58]
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats– Introduced a gold alternate jersey on August 12, 2006 against the Toronto Argonauts.[38]The jerseys were always paired with black helmets and black pants. They were worn three times during the2007and2008seasons and worn for the last time on October 31, 2009 and just once for the2009season as the team wore retro jerseys that same year.[59]The team had no alternate jersey until the Signature series grey uniform was unveiled in2014.The grey uniform was worn three times between 2014 and 2015 and no alternate uniform was worn from 2016 to 2021. The team introduced new steel grey uniforms in2022which were worn twice that year and twice again in2023and2024,including once on the road in both seasons.[60]
- Montreal Alouettes– Began wearing an all-black uniform in2001and continued wearing them until2004and two more times in2006.Introduced a blue alternate with red numerals in2005and wore these jerseys in the93rd Grey Cup.The blue alternates were worn again in 2006,2009and2010.The team introduced a new black jersey, this time with grey numerals as opposed to blue, for the2007and wore this jersey five times during the regular season while wearing the primary home jersey four times. This jersey was worn until the 2010 season and was brought back one more time for the2013 season.[61]The team wore dark grey and blue Signature series uniforms for the2014 seasonand wore them two times in each subsequent season until 2016.[45]The uniforms were worn just once in 2017 and 2018 and when the Alouettes re-branded in2019,the team did not wear a third jersey. The Alouettes had planned to introduce a fan-designed third jersey for the 2021 season as part of their 75th anniversary celebrations, but this did not occur following a cancelled2020 CFL season.[62][63]Instead, this uniform was revealed in2023and was worn three times during the regular season and once in the post-season, including twice for away games, but just once in2024.[64]
- Ottawa Rough Riders– Never wore a third jersey.
- Ottawa Renegades– Introduced a red alternate jersey worn with white pants on July 1, 2005 against the Montreal Alouettes. Worn four times for the2005 seasonincluding a game where they wore the jerseys with black pants on September 16, 2005 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
- Ottawa Redblacks– As part of the Signature series, the Redblacks wore red and plaid uniforms three times during the2014 season,including an away game on November 7 against the Toronto Argonauts.[45]They wore them twice again in2015.The team did not wear alternate uniforms again until2021when they introduced new red alternate uniforms which were worn three times during the season.[65]The red uniforms were worn twice during the2022 seasonand three times in2023and2024.
- Saskatchewan Roughriders– First wore a black uniform with green numerals during the2002 season.The jersey was always worn with black pants and was last worn in2006.The team introduced retro-themed green alternate jerseys worn with silver pants in2007,based on the uniforms first worn in 1967. From2010to2012,these jerseys were worn with white pants. Also in 2010, white retro versions of these jerseys were introduced, but contrary to most CFL teams, the Roughriders continued to wear these until the 2012 season for select away games. In2013,the green retro jersey was worn with green pants. In2014,the team remodeled the retro green jersey, this time more resembling the uniforms from the early 1980s. Also in 2014, the team wore their Signature series uniforms twice, while also wearing "blitz green" for the first time.[45]Both the retro uniform and the Signature series uniforms were worn twice during 2015. The team introduced a modified version of their retro uniform in 2016 that did not have shoulder numbers and it has been worn at least twice each season since then, except for 2021 and 2022 when it was only worn for the Labour Day Classic. In addition to the retro uniforms, the Roughriders introduced obsidian alternate uniforms in2024which featured a dark shade of green from helmets to socks and were worn three times, including for their home playoff game.[66]
- Toronto Argonauts– Were the last franchise to introduce a recurring alternate jersey, which they did in2007on July 26 against the Montreal Alouettes. The jersey was Cambridge blue and partnered with their Oxford blue pants and was worn once in 2007, 2008 and 2009. With the retro uniforms that were introduced in2009,the team also paired the retro Cambridge blue pants with the alternate jerseys for a monochrome Cambridge blue look that the team wore twice that year. The team wore an Oxford blue retro jersey in2010that made a return appearance in2011.[41]The team became the first in the CFL to wear a white alternate uniform that wasn't based on a retro uniform when they wore their Signature series jerseys in2014.This uniform was worn once at home and once away in both 2014 and 2015. No alternate jersey has been worn since 2016.
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers– Wore gold alternate jerseys as part of their 75th anniversary season in2005.The jerseys were worn with either white pants or blue pants and were worn every season through to2010.Additionally, for the three seasons that the Blue Bombers qualified for the playoffs, the gold jerseys were worn for each game, both home and away, and in the95th Grey Cup.[67]Also in 2010, the club wore retro 1970s era royal blue jerseys, which were then adopted as the alternates for2011and2012.[68]A modified 1980s era royal blue jersey was introduced in2013and was also worn in2014.The Blue Bombers only wore their2014 Signature series uniformsonce, whereas all other teams wore theirs at least twice, possibly due to negative fan reception.[69]The team did not wear an alternate uniform until2022when they introduced all-blue uniforms with a white "W" on the front.[70]These uniforms were worn twice in 2022 and 2023, including in theBanjo Bowlboth years, but just once in 2024.[70]
Ice hockey
editNational Hockey League
editIn theNational Hockey League,each team has its own distinctive sweater design (hockey tradition usually refers to jerseys as "sweaters," because hockey players actually wore sweaters on the ice until the 1960s). Prior to 1995 (save a few isolated instances), each team only had two sweaters – one for home use, and one for the road. One sweater was dominantly white (or in a few instances, a light colour), and the other dominantly a dark colour. The home team has first choice of uniforms from the 1917–18 to the 1969–70 seasons (the white or yellow sweater was predominantly the road sweater with the dark sweater predominantly being the home sweater). In the 1970–1971 season, the NHL required teams to wear white (or yellow) sweaters at home and dark sweaters on the road; this rule remained in place until the end of the 2002–03 season. When the Third Sweater Program was introduced in the 1995–96 season, some teams wore the third sweater at home, which would have required an opponent to carry two sets of equipment and uniforms with them while on the road under most circumstances. This was alleviated starting in the 2003–04 season, when new rules mandated dark sweaters at home and white sweaters on the road, with yellow now being treated as a dark colour.
The first NHL team to feature a three-sweater rotation was theBoston Bruins.From1955through1967,the Bruins had a gold home sweater and a white road sweater, and for several of those seasons featured a black third sweater. ThePittsburgh Penguinswould later introduce a gold third sweater in1981,worn occasionally at home for two seasons for Sunday games and exclusively at home only in the1983–84season before retiring it. As part of the NHL's 75th anniversary in the1991–92 season,for select games theOriginal Sixteams wore throwback sweaters based on designs the teams wore at some point during the first 50 years of the league. TheChicago BlackhawksandDetroit Red Wingswore their throwbacks again for a game atChicago Stadiumin the1993–94 season.
The 1995-96 third sweater program provided an opportunity forCCMto further experiment withdye-sublimation printingon their sweaters. CCM had introduced the process to the NHL with the1994 All-Star Gamesweaters and theCalgary Flames' new uniforms introduced in the1994–95 season.The sublimated dye process allows for more complex stripe and graphic designs than were possible or practical with traditional manufacturing methods. The initial participating teams in the 1995–96 season embraced the concept, although the results were mixed. The Bruins' gold jersey, featuring a brown bear's head on the front and jagged striping, lasted through the 2005–06 season, while the Penguins' third jersey, featuringgradientstriping that complemented their logo at the time, replaced their road jerseys in 1997. TheVancouver Canucks' red and black jersey with gradient striping, a subtle nod to their garish "Flying V" jerseys from 1978 to 1985, were retired in 1997 when the team changed colours and logos altogether. The jerseys worn by theMighty Ducks of AnaheimandLos Angeles Kingsonly lasted one season. Due to the backlash against the less popular designs, the sublimation process was used by fewer teams in subsequent seasons, as newer thirds either rearranged the colours of an existing jersey, or experimented with different construction methods to create new designs.
With the advent of the2003 Heritage Classicoutdoor game, the NHL introduced the Vintage jersey program, allowing a select number of teams to wear throwback designs for a limited number of games, in addition to their existing uniforms. These uniforms were designated with a special V-logo patch. Seven teams participated in the program, and included both home and road versions of throwback designs. As a result, the Bruins, Kings, Canucks, andNew York Rangerseach had an unprecedented five jerseys in their rotation for that season. The program was suspended due to the2004–05 NHL lockout,although the Vancouver Canucks andMontreal Canadienswould wear their vintage jerseys for a few games each in the 2005–06 season, and the Canucks and Bruins would wear their dark throwbacks as third jerseys (replacing sublimated-print third jerseys) in the 2006–07 season. The Canucks' and Bruins' throwbacks would later serve as the inspiration for theirRBK Edgeuniform redesigns in 2007.
Following a one-year hiatus on all third jerseys (save for the2008 NHL Winter Classic,where the Pittsburgh Penguins andBuffalo Sabreswore throwbacks for that game) as part of the NHL's transition to the Edge uniform system, the third jersey program returned in full earnest for the2008–09 season.The Winter and Heritage Classics became showcases for throwback uniforms and new sweaters with a throwback aesthetic, while theNHL Stadium Seriesbecame a showcase for more radical uniform designs. Third jerseys as a whole began to skew more to traditional stylings and throwback designs, especially for teams who more modernized looks in the Edge redesign. Another trend has been for teams to include an off-white cream colour, sometimes referred to as "vintage white" or "antique white", in place of pure white on their third or Classic jersey, attempting to replicate the discoloured appearance of a genuine aged sweater. This trend picked up after theMinnesota Wildbegan extensively using "Minnesota wheat", an official team colour similar to the vintage cream colour, in place of white trim on their dark jerseys.
The only teams that have not had a full-season third jersey since the beginning of the current program are the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens. However, both teams have participated in at least one outdoor game and had special jerseys for each event. In addition, the Canadiens wore five different vintage jerseys over the course of their centennial celebration in the 2008–09 and 2009-10 seasons, in addition to their earlier participation in the Vintage jersey program.
Prior to 2021, theNew Jersey Devilshave eschewed the concept of third jerseys under general managerLou Lamoriello.Instead, they wore special one-off alternates that were throwbacks of the classic red and green jerseys for one home game on or aroundSt. Patrick's Dayevery season since 2009–10, with the exception of thelockout-shortened2013 season, and have also worn them in their2014 NHL Stadium Seriesoutdoor game. However, in 2021, the Devils finally unveiled their first full-time third jersey, using black as the base color.
WithReebokbeing replaced by parent companyAdidasas the NHL's uniform supplier for the2017–18 NHL season,the third jersey program once again went on hiatus for one year.[71]Like what happened during the Reebok transition, alternate jerseys returned for the2018–19 season.[72]
Usage
editOnce a team has been granted permission by the league to use their new design, they will request and be allowed ten to fifteen games during the season in which they may use their third sweater. They may continue to use the third sweater in subsequent years as well. This alternate design allowed the team's appearance to flirt with radical designs which have occasionally gone on to become the new looks for some of the participating teams, though they can also be quite garish. An infamous example is the aforementioned St.Louis Blues' planned third sweater from 1996. The Mighty Ducks' third from that season, featuring mascotWildwingbursting through a sheet of ice, was also considered particularly garish. Sales of third sweaters to fans have also provided significant additional income for cash-strapped NHL teams. For example, in 2013, theCalgary Flamesintroduced a third sweater in exactly the same colours as their primary home sweater, but with the addition of "western styling" mixed with traditional hockey sweater features such as laces and the team name in script on the front.[73]This doesn't always work; in the case of the Flames, they reverted to their throwback third jersey in the 2016–17 season.
Teams are also allowed to wear their third jerseys as often as desired in theStanley Cup Playoffs;however, they may only wear two different uniforms during the playoffs (one at home and one on the road). Examples of teams who wore third jerseys in the playoffs include theDallas Stars(in 1999), theSan Jose Sharks(from 2011 to 2014), theAnaheim Ducks(in 2014), theMinnesota Wild(from 2013 to 2017), theWashington Capitals(in 2015), theToronto Maple Leafs(in 1999), thePhiladelphia Flyers(in 2001 and 2009), thePittsburgh Penguins(in 1997, 2016, and 2021), theEdmonton Oilers(in 2017 and 2021), the Calgary Flames (in 2019), theArizona Coyotes(in2020) and theCarolina Hurricanes(in 2019,2020,and 2021). The Ducks, Stars, Flyers, Penguins, Oilers, Wild, Flames, and Coyotes are also examples of teams wearing third jerseys in the playoffs that are then promoted to full-time jerseys the following season.
Chronology
editSeveral teams have had multiple designs of their third jersey.
- 1955–56:Boston Bruins(remained until end of 1956–57 season; brought back for 1959–60 season and stayed until end of 1964–65 season)
- 1966–67:Toronto Maple Leafs(inspired by Canada's Centennial celebrations in 1967, the Leafs had a completely different uniform set for that year's Stanley Cup playoffs, which culminated with a Stanley Cup victory. The modified Leafs uniform featured a new Maple Leaf emblem, replacing the traditional maple leaf with a design imitating the leaf found on Canada's new Maple Leaf Flag introduced in 1965. This uniform was adopted by the team the following season (1967–68) and remained until a completely new uniform design was unveiled for the 1970–71 season.)
- 1981–82:Pittsburgh Penguins(remained until 1984–1985 season)
- 1991–92:Boston Bruins,Chicago Blackhawks,Detroit Red Wings,Montreal Canadiens,New York Rangers,Toronto Maple Leafs(all as throwback/vintage jerseys)
- 1993–94:Chicago BlackhawksandDetroit Red Wings(one game, wearing the 1992 throwback/vintage jerseys)
- 1995–96:Mighty Ducks of Anaheim,Boston Bruins(through 2005–06),Los Angeles Kings,Pittsburgh Penguins(through 1996–97; would eventually become their regular road jersey),Vancouver Canucks(through 1996–97)
- 1996–97:Chicago Blackhawks(used through 2006–07),New York Islanders(third and fourth jerseys with classic logo, became full-time home and road shirts the following season),New York Rangers(through 2006–07),Tampa Bay Lightning(through 1998–99),Toronto Maple Leafs(one game – throwback/vintage jerseys)
- 1997–98:Mighty Ducks of Anaheim(through 1999–2000),Dallas Stars(through 1998–99; became road jersey afterward),Ottawa Senators(through 1998–99; became road jersey afterward),Philadelphia Flyers(through 2000–01; became road jersey afterward),St. Louis Blues(became home jersey the following season),San Jose Sharks(became road jersey the following season),Washington Capitals(through 1999–2000; became road jersey afterward)
- 1998–99:Calgary Flames(through 1999–2000; became road jersey through 2003; third jersey again 2003–06),Florida Panthers(through 2002–03; became the new home jersey, replaced by former road jersey),New York Rangers(white shirt replaced blue third for one season),Phoenix Coyotes(through 2002–03),Toronto Maple Leafs(through 2006–07)
- 1999–2000:Los Angeles Kings(retired prior to 2007–08 season; logos switched in 2002–03)
- 2000–01:Buffalo Sabres(through 2005–06),Ottawa Senators(through 2006–07),Pittsburgh Penguins(through 2001–02; became home uniform after one season)
- 2001–02:Colorado Avalanche(through 2006–07),Edmonton Oilers(designed byTodd McFarlane;through 2006–07),Nashville Predators(through 2006–07),San Jose Sharks(through 2006–07),Vancouver Canucks(through 2005–06)
- 2002–03:New York Islanders(through 2006–07),Philadelphia Flyers(orange with 3D version of logo, through 2006–07)
- 2003–04:Mighty Ducks of Anaheim(through 2005–06),Atlanta Thrashers(would become home jersey),Boston Bruins(c.1970 – vintage program)Columbus Blue Jackets(became home jersey for 2007–08),Dallas Stars(used through 2005–06),Edmonton Oilers(c.1988 – vintage program),Florida Panthers(former road jersey, through 2006–07),Los Angeles Kings(c.1987 – vintage program),Minnesota Wild(became home jersey for 2007–08);Montreal Canadiens(c.1946 and c.1960 versions – vintage program – 1946 version used through 2006–07),New York Rangers(c.1978 – vintage program),St. Louis Blues(c.1979 – vintage program)Vancouver Canucks(c.1976 – vintage program; worn as fourth in 2005–06, in use as third in 2006–07).
- 2006–07:Boston Bruins(1960s throwback),Buffalo Sabres
- 2007–08: No teams were allowed to have alternate jerseys due to the introduction of the Reebok Edge jersey style. During theNHL playoffs,theToronto Maple Leafsannounced they would wear jerseys similar in design to the ones worn during their 1967Stanley Cuprun, but this did not occur because the Maple Leafs failed to reach a playoff spot during the regular season. ThePittsburgh Penguins(1968–76 blue throwback) and theBuffalo Sabres(1970–96 white throwback) were therefore the only two teams to wear their third jerseys, which happened in theWinter Classic.
- 2008–09: On September 10, 2008, theCarolina Hurricanesunveiled a new predominantly black third jersey featuring a flag design reminiscent of the maritime advisory flag system. The following teams announced the use of third jerseys for the2008–09 NHL season:Atlanta Thrashers,Boston Bruins,Buffalo Sabres,Chicago Blackhawks(a vintage jersey for the2009 NHL Winter ClassicatWrigley Field),Dallas Stars,Detroit Red Wings(for the 2009 Winter Classic),Edmonton Oilers,Los Angeles Kings,New York Islanders,Ottawa Senators,Philadelphia Flyers,Phoenix Coyotes,Pittsburgh Penguins,San Jose Sharks,St. Louis Blues,Tampa Bay Lightning,Toronto Maple Leafs,Vancouver Canucks.To commemorate its 100th season, Montreal Canadiens wear vintage jerseys from seasons 1912–13, 1915–16 and 1945–46 during selected home games against Original Six teams.
- 2009–10: Montreal Canadiens announce in Fall 2008 they will wear vintage jerseys from seasons 1909–10 and 1910–11 during selected home games against Original Six teams to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the team. In addition, the Bruins and Flyers donned vintage jerseys for their game as part of the2010 NHL Winter ClassicatFenway Parkon January 1, and the Flyers then changed to the Winter Classic white sweater as their away jersey for the2010–11 season;new third jerseys in the2009–10 NHL seasonwere worn by theCalgary Flames,Colorado Avalanche,Florida Panthers,Minnesota Wildand theNashville Predators.The Blackhawks also debuted a new third jersey which is a variation of theWinter Classic jersey used in 2009.
- 2010–11: TheBuffalo Sabresand theNew York Islandersare officially changing to the third as their home (and a new white road uniform based on same) for the 2010–11 season. Buffalo introduced a new third jersey loosely based on theirAHLpredecessor, theBuffalo Bisons,to celebrate the team's 40th anniversary. The Columbus Blue Jackets have introduced a new third jersey, wearing it on selective home and away games only.[citation needed]The Anaheim Ducks also introduced a new third jersey as well along with their home and away jerseys. TheLos Angeles Kingsunveiled a new fourth throwback jersey, which is based on their purple and gold jerseys worn from 1967 to 1979. ThePittsburgh Penguinsretired their powder blue alternates and unveiled their new third jersey at the2011 NHL Winter ClassicatHeinz Field.[74]On November 12, 2010, theNew York Rangersintroduced a new heritage jersey in a celebration of their 85th anniversary, which is worn during home games against Original Six teams and on all Sunday (later Saturday) home games. The Rangers' heritage jersey debuted on November 17 in a game against the Bruins. TheAnaheim Ducksintroduced a third sweater on November 26. The jersey features the "D" duck foot logo on the front and the colours are primarily black and orange. On the shoulder of the jersey, there is a patch of the Mighty Duck logo which was no longer used in the2006–07 NHL seasonwith the logo the Ducks are currently using.
- 2011–12: TheLos Angeles Kingsrelegated their purple and black road jerseys as alternates, while assigning the black and silver jerseys to regular use at home. They made a white and black away jersey based on this design. TheOttawa Senatorsreplaced their black "SENS" alternates with a retro barberpole design based on theoriginal Senatorsjerseys. ThePittsburgh PenguinsandWashington Capitalspromoted their2011 Winter Classicjerseys to third jersey status, while theToronto Maple Leafsunveiled a new blue retro alternate based on the jersey worn when they won the1967 Stanley Cup Finals.Even though theTampa Bay Lightningunveiled new logos and uniforms, their alternate "BOLTS" uniform was retained. TheNew York Islandersadded a black jersey as their alternate, which was retired towards the end of the 2013–14 season.
- 2012–13: No third jerseys were unveiled in thelockout-shortened season,but theBuffalo Sabres,Edmonton OilersandFlorida Panthersdropped their third jerseys.
- 2013–14: TheBuffalo Sabresunveiled their two-tone third jersey, with the front of the jersey in gold and the back of the jersey in navy. TheCalgary Flamesreplaced their classic 1980s third jerseys (which are now worn once per season) with a red and black jersey featuring a throwback 'Calgary' script and modern design features (it would be replaced with the former jerseys after the 2015–16 season). TheCarolina Hurricanesretained their black third jerseys despite unveiling a new uniform set, while the third jerseys of theLos Angeles KingsandPittsburgh Penguinswere dropped.
- 2014–15: TheAnaheim Duckspromoted their third jerseys to regular use at home, adding a new white uniform based on the same design. ThePittsburgh Penguinsunveiled their new black and gold third jersey, which is based on their road uniforms worn from 1980 to 1992. In addition, thePhiladelphia Flyerspromoted the jersey they wore at the2012 Winter Classicto alternate status. After retiring their black third jersey towards the end of the 2013–14 season, theNew York Islandersadded a blue alternate jersey, which was previously worn at theStadium Seriesgame atYankee Stadiumin the previous season. TheTampa Bay Lightningchanged their third jersey to a black alternate, while theLos Angeles KingsandArizona Coyotesunveiled new throwback jerseys, the latter replacing their black third jersey.
- 2015–16: TheAnaheim Ducksintroduced a new orange third jersey. TheEdmonton Oilersintroduced a new throwback alternate orange jersey, while theVancouver Canucksadded a black throwback jersey that was the team's road uniform from 1989 to 1997. TheWashington Capitalsadded a red alternate jersey based on the white alternate jersey they used from the 2011–12 to the 2014–15 seasons. In addition, theColorado Avalancheand theNew York Islanderschanged their alternate jerseys. The two-tone third jersey worn by theBuffalo Sabreswas permanently discontinued; in its place, a "third jersey" identical to the white away jersey was used for six home games (technically itwasthe same jersey, but as previously noted it required special dispensation from the league to allow it).[4]
- 2016–17: The Pittsburgh Penguins' third jersey that was worn during the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons was promoted to regular use at home; while the Boston Bruins replaced their third jersey with the jersey that was first worn at the2016 NHL Winter Classic.The Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers introduced special third jerseys, while the St. Louis Blues removed their third jerseys.
- 2017–18: No teams were allowed to have regular alternate jerseys due to the introduction of the Adidas jersey style. However, teams participating in outdoor games (theNHL 100 Classic,Winter Classic,andStadium Seriesgames) had special uniforms for those games. In addition, the Toronto Maple Leafs wore aToronto Arenasthrowback for the Next Century Game, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first game in NHL history.
- 2018–19: The following teams announced the use of third jerseys for the 2018–19: theAnaheim Ducks,theArizona Coyotes,theCalgary Flames,theCarolina Hurricanes,theColorado Avalanche,theColumbus Blue Jackets,theEdmonton Oilers,theNew Jersey Devils,theNew York Islanders,theOttawa Senators,thePhiladelphia Flyers,thePittsburgh Penguins,theSan Jose Sharks,theSt. Louis Blues,theWashington Capitalsand theWinnipeg Jets.TheBoston BruinsandChicago Blackhawkswore throwback jerseys during the2019 NHL Winter Classic.TheCarolina Hurricanesannounced that they would wear greenHartford Whalersjerseys for select games against theBoston Bruinsduring the 2018–19 season.
- 2019–20: TheBoston Bruins,theEdmonton Oilers,and theVancouver Canucksadded new third jerseys. Special throwback uniform designs were worn by theBuffalo Sabres,theCalgary Flames,theDallas Stars,theLos Angeles Kings,theNashville Predators,and theWinnipeg Jetsfor a few games during the season.
- 2020–21: NHL began partnering with Adidas to introduce theReverse Retroprogram, where all 31 teams are issued special uniforms which are based on throwback jerseys that were worn during previous seasons. Several teams, including theArizona Coyotes,theBoston Bruins,theCarolina Hurricanes,theColumbus Blue Jackets,theLos Angeles Kings,theMinnesota Wild,theMontreal Canadiens,theNew Jersey Devils,theSan Jose Sharks,and theSt. Louis Blues,received uniforms that swapped the colour palettes. The introduction of theReverse Retrojerseys marks the first time in history that all 31 teams have at least three jerseys. In addition to the introduction of theReverse Retroseries, theDallas Stars,theVegas Golden Knights,and theWashington Capitalsintroduced new fourth jerseys, while the throwback uniform of theCalgary Flameswas promoted to a home uniform and the old home uniform was relegated to a fourth jersey; the third jerseys of theBuffalo Sabresand theOttawa Senatorswere redesigned intoReverse Retrojerseys as part of those teams introducing new wholesale uniform sets.[75]
- 2021–22: New third jerseys were unveiled for theLos Angeles Kings,New Jersey Devils,Pittsburgh Penguins,Toronto Maple Leafs,andWinnipeg Jets.In addition, theArizona Coyotes' previous "coyote head" home jersey was relegated to a third jersey.
- 2022–23: A second set ofReverse Retrojerseys were introduced. TheBuffalo Sabres,Calgary Flames,Carolina Hurricanes,andVancouver Canucksunveiled modernized versions of 1990s-era throwback jerseys, while theArizona Coyotesunveiled a new red alternate jersey.
- 2023–24: TheAnaheim DucksandBoston Bruinswore anniversary-specific third jerseys for the season. TheMinnesota Wildbrought back theirMinnesota North Stars-inspired green and gold "Reverse Retro" jersey as an alternate, and theNew York Rangers,San Jose SharksandTampa Bay Lightningunveiled new alternate jerseys.
Rugby league
editNational Rugby League
editIn recent years the third jersey has appeared in the AustralianNRL,with every team having a 'home' jersey, an 'away' jersey and a 'heritage' jersey. The NRL does not currently require third or alternate jerseys, because most clashes can be resolved with away jerseys or using modified under-20s jerseys.
- South Sydney Rabbitohsused a white jersey (the under-20s away jersey) against Canberra in 2008, even though the NRL stated that the Souths and Canberra jerseys don't clash. They have a similar jersey for 2009 which contains tribal Aboriginal and Maori designs.
- Parramatta Eelshave adopted a home (yellow with blue designs), away (blue with yellow designs, however in 2007 this was the alternate) and alternate (white with yellow designs, however in 2007 was away) jersey scheme. They (along with Manly-Warringah and Illawarra) were one of the pioneers of away jerseys in rugby league in Australia.
- Canterbury Bulldogsuse a jersey reminiscent of their training jersey as a clash strip (also their under-20s away jersey). They also wear their Berries strip from the 1960s as a heritage strip and a similar (yet quite different) jersey (white with blue and black butcher stripes) for trials.
- Brisbane Broncoshave been known to wear a blue and aqua alternate jersey, however, it is rare to see as blue has become a colour hated by Queensland rugby league fans.
- Wests Tigershave worn a white version of their 2008 home jersey, switching the white/orange areas, and introduced a "10 Year Anniversary" jersey, which is white with black and orange V's. They also wear modernised versions of the oldBalmain TigersandWestern Suburbs Magpiesstrips from the 1980s.
- Though not technically third jumpers, the Centenary of Rugby League celebrations left all teams with special jerseys for the Centenary round, and in 2009 several teams wore the same jerseys (theNewcastle Knights,however, wore their foundation strip, in 2008 they wore aNewcastle Rebelsjersey, which was the first Newcastle team in the NSWRL and played in the NSWRL's foundation season. TheNew Zealand Warriorswore a jersey symbolising the history of rugby league in Auckland, with a dark blue jersey with 2 white V's, while theMelbourne Stormwore their 2000's light purple with white lightning bolts away strip in the 2009 Heritage Round, while in 2008 they wore their foundation jersey with V's).
- As a result of the above point, theSydney Roostershave used five jerseys in 2008.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"NBA 's new fashion statement".Post-gazette.Retrieved14 January2017.
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