Utah Jazz Bring Back Iconic Purple Mountain Uniforms, Court
Aug 28, 2019, 11:38 AM | Updated: 12:36 pm
(Courtesy Utah Jazz Twitter page)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz have announced the return of their purple mountain themed uniforms and court. The color theme is a throwback to a period in franchise history that featured the highest levels of success for the Jazz organization.
The Jazz first revealed their Classic Edition uniforms for the 2019-20 season via a video posted to social media Wednesday morning.
The uniform brings back the look of the jersey worn during some of the Jazz’s most iconic moments in team history, brought together with the style and cut of the current Nike jerseys used in the NBA.
“It’s our hope that these Classic Edition uniforms will serve as a bridge to unite generations of our fans in their love of Jazz basketball past and present,” said Bart Sharp, Jazz senior vice president of marketing.
1997 🔁 2019#MountainTime
» https://t.co/CyruuyacDM pic.twitter.com/8n3jto5saz— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) August 28, 2019
Special Preseason Event For Fans
The Jazz will host a free Classic Edition event on Saturday, October 19 at Vivint Smart Home Arena to provide a first look at the new court.
Fans will have the opportunity to buy Classic Edition jerseys and exclusive purple mountain-themed merchandise at the event, which is open to the public. In addition, ticket packages for Classic Edition games this season will be on sale at the event.
More information on what games will highlight the Classic Edition uniforms and court will be announced at a later date.
The team will begin the 2018-19 season when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m.
Purple Mountain Majesty
The new purple mountain theme hails from the colors, jerseys, and court associated with the Jazz from 1996 until 2004.
During those years, the franchise reached the NBA Finals in back-to-back seasons in 1997-98 and 1998-99 led by franchise stars, John Stockton and Karl Malone.
Malone was honored with the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 1996-97 and 1998-99.
Fast forward 15 years from their disappearance, these classic unis highlight Utah’s mountains across the front of the jersey and on the left side of the shorts. They are trimmed with colors of purple, teal, white, and copper. The shorts also feature the team initials, “UJ” on the right leg as well as a snowflake basketball logo on the middle of the waistband.
All of the feels. Stockton to Malone. Stockton for 3. Multiple Finals. 2 MVPs. #TakeNote https://t.co/JzctZsnScZ
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) August 28, 2019
New to this edition of the purple mountain jerseys is the Nike swoosh and 5 For The Fight logos.
The court features the retro primary Jazz logo at midcourt with matching colors to the new uniforms.
On each baseline are the words, “Utah Jazz” and a snowflake basketball logo identical to those found on the shorts.
Unique to this rocky mountain court design is the color-filled key and free throw circles. The keys are each teal colored with a purple filled free throw circle at the top.
‘We’ve Been Waiting For These’ – #MountainTime
Members of the current Jazz roster have already expressed excitement for the Classic Edition jerseys. The last time the team played in the purple mountain jersey was during the 2003-2004 season. The team featured current Jazz assistant coach Raul Lopez, Andrei Kirilenko, Greg Ostertag, Gordan Giricek, Raja Bell, Mo Williams, Carlos Arroyo and Matt Harpring.
That year, Donovan Mitchell was 7 years old, Rudy Gobert was 11, and Mike Conley was 16.
“I remember as a kid watching the Jazz when they wore these jerseys in the Finals. I’m excited about them,” said Conley.
The guard tweeted a graphic with himself in the new jersey, giving himself the nickname Mountain Mike.
“I think it’s great. You get so used to wearing the same two or three jerseys, and then you pull out a new one and it gets your juices flowing. We’re all excited,” Conley said.
Conley is entering his first season with the franchise after spending his entire career in Memphis.
#MountainTime #TakeNote #MountainMike pic.twitter.com/c34k38YW7L
— Mike Conley (@mconley11) August 28, 2019
Two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert also tweeted out his excitement, saying, “We’ve been waiting for these…can’t wait to put them to the test.”
Gobert is entering his seventh season with the organization.
We’ve been waiting for these…can’t wait to put them to the test! 🏔🏆 pic.twitter.com/TXuash7tmh
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) August 28, 2019
You have your foundation.
You add new pieces.
Then you work.» https://t.co/i00OA0BAaS pic.twitter.com/DsYK5gTBNN
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) August 28, 2019