Cam Newton shows off the current Panthers home uniform
The Carolina Panthers will reportedly sport new, Nike-designed uniforms for the 2012 season.
Update – Jan. 28: The new Carolina Panthers logo has leaked. Follow the link to check it out.
Paul Lukas of Uni Watch wrote in a post this morning that he has heard from a source that the Panthers will join the Seahawks (a team we previously reported would be in new attire in 2012) as the two NFL teams that will debut new uniforms next season.
Update – Oct. 27: I have since heard a second-hand report from someone inside the Panthers organization who disputes the notion that the Panthers are getting new uniforms next season. It looks like we can’t say for sure that changes are coming, but it would not surprise me to see the Panthers sporting new uniforms in the near future, if not 2012. Now, back to the original article…
Nike is taking over as the NFL’s official uniform manufacturer after this season and it was widely speculated that the sports apparel company would pressure NFL teams to redesign their duds. Nike is known for pushing the envelope in its football uniforms (look no further than Oregon to see Nike design at its most extreme). It’s no surprise that teams with classic looks (like the Packers and Steelers) refused to budge, but it appears Nike has had better luck getting to teams with less history to maintain.
The Carolina Panthers played their first game in 1995 and, apart from the occasional commemorative patch, the franchise hasn’t altered its uniformssince that first game. A light blue alternate jersey was introduced in 2002 and quickly became a favorite of many of the team’s fans. While some regard the Panthers’ uniforms as a modern classic, there are numerous voices within the sports uniforms community calling for an update to the look.
Carolina Panthers uniforms, circa 2002-2011
At this point, there are no details about what the new uniforms will look like. It’s very likely that the Panthers’ primary logo and colors (black, light blue and silver) will remain unchanged, although we could potentially see the Panthers modernize their logo the same way the Lions and Cardinals have done in recent years. A black helmet could be interesting, although it might not work with a predominantly black logo. A unique number font on the jerseys seems like a certainty, as no new NFL uniform design in recent years has used a standard block font. We could also see the black pants that have been rumored for years.
Below, we’ll take a look at some uniform concepts posts on the Chris Creamer Sports Logo Community, an online forum dedicated to sports logos and uniforms that features some highly-skilled designers. It’s important to stress that the Panthers uniform designs you’ll see below are just concepts and they are in no way being considered by the Carolina Panthers or Nike. However, the designs below might give an indication of what direction the Panthers’ new uniforms will take.
First up is Brave-Bird 08‘s take on the Panthers. This might be the gold standard when it comes to Panthers uniform concepts. It’s really quite beautiful and it would be great if Nike was thinking along the same lines for the Panthers. The number font with the slashes that invoke claw marks is a thing of beauty. Click on the images to enlarge and see all the small details.
Next up is another fine design. This one is by a CCSLC user who goes by the name Buc. Here, we have not only a design for a new Panthers uniform, but also a revised logo that features much more light blue than the current Panthers logo (which allows it to be visible on a black helmet). Really impressive work and it certainly fits with the Nike aesthetic.
Next up is another design featuring a black helmet. This one is by a designer called chestnutz.
Finally, here’s very sleek design by an artist who goes by the name vmd9. There’s a good chance the Panthers go heavy on the color black in their new uniforms. If they do go that route, they might look something like this.
That source was me. And it is not for sure yet.
I can provide the e-mail chain with uniwatch if you would like.
I love the black helmet’s and the uni’s!!
Its gonna look friggin awesome either way-carolina born carolina bread carolina till I’m dead
That All Black will definately go HARD!
the blue on black will look pretty bad a$$ i cant wait to see how everything plays out
Guys – these uniforms are the WORST in the league!! I don’t know why anyone even talks about the Bengals when these NASCAR-inspired pieces of garbage are on the field! Please for the love of all things, change the logo! Use the logo that people have on their cars…the one that just the whiskers, eyes and mouth…that would look amazing!
man shut up u just jealous cause ur teams uniform looks lik SH!T. So wat im saying is tht we have a bunch of crap running around lik retards
man r u high i agree with ur mom and ur a redneck if u lik tht nascar crap get a life dude
r u high i agree with ur mom your team is piece of crap running around what do u lik the colts fail look at them they barely won lik 2 games or something lik that and you r a redneck if u like nascar
dude u repeated yourself but i also agree with your mom
oops srry and y i put lol at the end wtf
Somebody done told you wrong. What the hell are you talking about. These uniforms are fire.
TH nailed it………whoever drew up that “concept’ for the new logo clearly has an obsession with a terrible hockey team. Because that’s the ONLY sport where garage like that is accepted. I say go with the logo that TH is talking about over a Black Helmet
Cam newton every day oh and i forgot OMG Becky look at her Butt Tunchi!!!!!
The logo from 2nd concept; slashed number design from 1st concept; and whole uniform from 4th concept will look HARD!! This is why NIKE taking over for us to look like the Oregon Ducks… who is always fresh every game!! Rehab most of these NFL uniforms that somehow stuck around from the wacky rainbow color years of the ’90s… JUST DO IT!… hehehehe
OMG if they dont go with the all black im gonna cry…talk about going hard?!?! If you want to pump up some fans you gotta do the black helmet design!!!! GO PANTHERS TILL I DIE!!! I vot for vmd9 design and the one before it!
I’m from Carolina.. And I can tell you this.. It is very, very got and humid in Carolina. The all black looks awesome, but our players would suffer on the field, which is why we have a blue alternate uniform. Black still absorbs sunlight, which transfers it into heat. Playing a full contact sport like football wearing all black in Carolina would be horrible!
Hope we get a better defense to go with out better uniforms and a little more help in the secondary. Think we are gonna have a better season this yr.
Yes, forget keeping tradition or having a recognizable brand like the Steelers, Packers, Raiders, Cowboys, Bears, 49ers, Dolphins, Colts ect. Every team should rock the all black uniforms and look bad a$$ man!!!
Please take out the silver. White pants and jerseys would look good (the Falcons got rid of their silver pants). Only use the all-black uniforms for specially televised night games (like MNF, SNF, etc.).
On another note, I wish the league office who allows each home team to wear an alternative or throwback uniform twice in a season would also allow them to wear their “away” version of their throwback when they are not the home team. I would not mind seeing Pittsburgh, Saints, and Dallas wearing all-white (including white pants).
Dang that all black is sick! It’s about time they got rid of those gay siver helmets. that new logo is pretty sweet too! I really like the blue on black as well. They away ones are nice with the black pants, but i’m sick of grey so hopefully they won’t wear those much! If they had a blue alternate helmet to go with those blue jerseys…… that’d be freaking sweet! I’m from North Carolina, and i’m loyal even if we do suck! Go Panthers!!!!!
Definitely the way to go with these uniforms.Not what Nike is trying to do with the emblem.
I love the first concept by BRAVE-BIRD 08! The white helmet with white pants, gives it a classic/vintage look! The all black is cool but wouldn’t make sense cause of the heat. As much as I like the current uniforms with the silver I hope they remove it and replace with white.
I like the first one the best! Talking about sweet!