The Toronto Raptors are throwing it back with its new 2024-25 City Edition jerseys to celebrate its 30th anniversary and here’s what fans have to say.
On Thursday, the team unveiled the new uniforms which reflect Hall of Famer Vince Carter and the team’s history stemming from their formation in 1995.
Greatness Inspired Greatness🦖
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) November 14, 2024
30th Anniversary City Edition Jerseys Now Available pic.twitter.com/PxtY7KTHKC
The jerseys showcase the iconic dinosaur logo in mid-flight wearing Carter’s No. 15 jersey, an ode to his legendary dunk from the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. This also marks the first jerseys to display all of the team’s brand colours throughout the years, including purple, red, gold and silver.
“This year has been an incredibly meaningful one to me with the Hall of Fame induction and the jersey retirement at Scotiabank Arena two weeks ago, but I rank this logo on the City Edition jersey right up there with both of those honours,” Carter said in a statement.
“To be able to watch a Raptors game with the team wearing a jersey with a logo inspired by me is beyond anything I could have imagined and I appreciate the tribute very much,” he added.
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The former Raptors superstar was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame last month and had his No. 15 jersey retired at Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 2.
“This 30th anniversary is a season to celebrate the people and moments who have made this franchise who we are,” Raptors President and Vice-Chairman Masai Ujiri said in a press release.
“Is there a better example of that feeling than the image of Vince’s unbelievable dunk? It reminds us that we can inspire. It allows us to dream of flying. It is proudly Toronto. And this uniform is unique in the league – just like the team and fans who will proudly wear it,” he continued.
The new jerseys will debut on Nov. 21 when the Raptors host the Minnesota Timberwolves at home and will be worn five times this season.
Online, some fans have mixed feelings about the return of the classic jersey design.
“These might be the best jerseys in the history of sports. #WeTheNorth,” one X user said.
“Best City Edition jersey this season. No debate,” another user said.
“This is quite simply one of the coolest jerseys I’ve ever seen,” another comment read.
Meanwhile, others are not a fan of the new look.
“These jerseys are lame. The Raptors went from having an actual dinosaur on their jerseys to this back in the late 90s. This is nothing to celebrate,” one X user commented.
“I’m probably in the minority here but I don’t like these and imo they should’ve reached back a little further, to the jerseys with the actual dribbling raptor. But in their defense I think they brought them back before so I guess they’re just switching up a bit,” another user said.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is also hosting a limited-time installation that will feature the City Edition uniform, alongside a statue of the dinosaur, from Nov. 14 to 17 as part of regular admission. Fans will be able to scan the installation’s QR code for a chance to win a Carter-autographed jersey.
