On Day Two of the NFL Draft, the NFL and Nike announced the launch of "Rivalries," a new uniform and fan gear program designed to "supercharge" division matchups over the next four seasons. And the Dolphins, along with the rest of the AFC East and the NFC West, are the first wave of teams selected for the rollout.
We know what you're thinking. Anytime the Dolphins are mentioned in the same sentence as "uniforms," the Miami mind gets an instant dopamine rush in anticipation that this could be the moment the team finally makes those clean 1970s throwback jerseys a mainstay.
Deep breath, y'all. This is not that.
According to the NFL's press release, the Rivalries program will be a new initiative that elevates NFL rivalry games by drawing inspiration from local community insights for each team's design. Each team will debut a unique Rivalries uniform for a single home game against a division foe. Once revealed, the uniforms will remain in each team's lineup for three seasons, worn once per year.
The NFL went further, teasing that the designs have been brought to life by drawing inspiration from each market's history and the aspects of the community that only that team's city embodies.
Sound a bit familiar? It should. From the sound of things, the "Rivalries" jerseys appear to be the NFL's take on the NBA's "City Edition" and MLB's "City Connect" jerseys.
Once again, we know what you're thinking. Are the Miami Dolphins about to drop a Miami Vice-inspired jersey? If you're following the money in sports, which you always should, the survey says... it's entirely possible.
Since its debut in 2018 as Miami's first City Edition jersey, the Vice uniform quickly became a sensation. It remains the most successful uniform and brand campaign during Nike's partnership with the NBA. Yes, that same Nike that is making these Rivalries jerseys. (Is there another Nike?) Are you following the breadcrumbs yet?
Before this season, the NBA announced that more than 230,000 Vice jerseys had been sold since the alternative jersey debuted in its original form in 2018, generating approximately $25 million in revenue. To put that impact in perspective, Vice jerseys account for more than half of the 440,000 Heat jerseys sold over that same span.
Now, the big question for Dolphins fans is: Are you okay with the Dolphins rolling out a black "Miami Nights" jersey? Are you good with Tua lining up under center in the same hue of pink Leo Messi and Inter Miami roll out onto the pitch most nights? Will a piece of you die inside if the Dolphins use art deco neon-sign-inspired numbers on their jerseys?
We kid, we kid. But the NFL has done worse. Dolphins fans will remember the Fanta-inspired Orange Crush jersey the team introduced in 2003, and the creamsicle-hued uni introduced in 2016. This happened. It's all on video.
The Miami Marlins' City Connect uniforms brought the swagger, vibrance, and vibe of Miami.
Photo courtesy of the Miami Marlins
The question now is: What city-inspired jersey would Dolphins fans like to see the team wearing as they emerge from the Hard Rock tunnel? And, more important from the NFL's revenue-driven POV: What jersey would you be most interested in purchasing each of the next four holiday seasons?
Ready or not, Nike Rivalry jerseys are coming. Brace for impact, both on the field and in your wallet.
