18. Oregon Ducks Blackout (2010)
The Oregon Ducks football team aren’t the only Ducks team allowed to wear uniforms that define swag. Nike does all of Oregon’s uniforms, including their men’s basketball team. They usually have some pretty unique jerseys, but none of them can top their blackout jerseys from 2010. It was innovative and so fresh.
There aren’t many better ways to intimidate an opponent than with a blackout. These jerseys are almost completely black, only having some gold numbers. The logo is black as well. Even the lettering is black. Teams usually don’t go all out for a blackout, but the Ducks sure did. This look was innovative. Nobody had literally pulled off a successful full blackout before Oregon did. Now more teams are starting to embrace the look.
This also inspired more black uniforms from Nike. Oregon regularly trots out a toned down version of the blackout look featuring gold trim and lettering. So while the Ducks did go a bit overboard with the full blackout look, it’s easily one of the best jerseys they’ve ever worn. Innovation matters and now teams are all over the blackout look. This is largely due to Nike’s boldness to go with the full blackout.
Oregon got put on the basketball map thanks to innovate jerseys like this one. It’s why the Ducks continue to have a strong relationship with Nike. Of course, having their CEO on your side helps too. Hopefully the football team doesn’t get any crazy ideas from this jersey because an all black look on the football field wouldn’t work nearly as well as it did on the court.
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