Just hours after stomping the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 133-99 blowout, the Toronto Raptors have revealed their new "OVO edition" jersey.
Something tells me LeBron won't be buying one (not that he'd have to, being besties with Drake).
"This that new Toronto," wrote the Raps on Twitter early Friday morning with several photos of the jersey being modelled by players Norman Powell, Delon Wright, Fred Van Fleet, OG Anunoby and Lucas Nogueira.
This that new Toronto.
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 12, 2018
Presenting our very own OVO Edition Jersey.
Available now at @RealSports & @welcomeOVO. http://pic.twitter.com/IwOzyAkVB2
Images of the jerseys, which went on sale today at RealSports, were actually leaked a few weeks back via Nike's European website.
The Raptors may be calling them "OVO edition," but the new black and gold threads are actually a part of Nike's league-wide, "City Edition" uniform line.
Nike revealed its fourth official uniform category of the season on Dec. 27, writing that the City Edition jerseys pay homage to each NBA team's respective home city.
Looks like the official Raptors Nike City Jerseys are called the “OVO Edition” and is being sold on the OVO website. Too bad the OVO logo is not on the jersey itself. http://pic.twitter.com/d45z1VJGBI
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) January 12, 2018
Materials released by The Raptors today explain that the uniform's colours are, obviously, inspired by Drake's OVO brand. The six-pointed chevron on the jersey's front, on the other hand, pays homage to "the six boroughs of Toronto."
The word "North" is meant to "represent a territory all our own," but, as I and every other person on the internet has argued a thousand times, this makes little sense.
Toronto is latitudinally further south than several NBA teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trailblazers, but whatever.
Raptors X OVO - Representing the North. The OVO Edition jersey is available now at Real Sports Apparel. Get it here: https://t.co/eclbQpyE3E or at Gate 1 at the Air Canada Centre. http://pic.twitter.com/w1SaXPJzkK
— RealSports (@RealSports) January 12, 2018
"These designs honour the fans," wrote the sportswear company in a press release, "those who, 41 times a year, take pilgrimage at their local arena, and whose passions help define each respective team’s identity."
When you put it like that, OVO colours make sense. It's hard to deny the impact that Drake has had on Toronto's image, regardless of how you feel about his work. The Grammy-winning artist is also the Raptors Global Ambassador and one of the team's biggest fans.
Some were even joking last night that Drake partied late with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade at his restaurant this week to ensure a home team victory.
The greatest thing @Drake ever did for the Raptors was keeping LeBron and Wade out late last night. Thank you Drake. #RTZ
— Fortune (@goldenguns_tons) January 12, 2018
The truth, of course, is that the Raptors are just really good this season.
Toronto's team is currently 29-11, marking their best 40-game start to a season in franchise history.
by Lauren O'Neil via blogTO
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