Jimmy Butler and Miami Heat Reunite With Surprise Return of "Vice" Uniforms

Miami Heat fans have been looking forward to the team's return home after an extended West Coast swing. But little did they know that a far more consequential return was in the works: the return of the most beloved piece of Miami Heat merch known to fankind.

Hey, if Jimmy Butler doesn't take the court after serving his seven-day suspension, this is one hell of a consolation prize.

On Thursday morning, the Heat announced the return of the white edition of the team's iconic "Vice" jerseys, which they'll don Friday night to face the Denver Nuggets at the Kaseya Center. And right there in the promotional materials alongside Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Jimmy Butler, the man at the center of one of the messiest breakups the NBA has ever seen.

While Butler's return to the court on Friday night would surprise many, the re-emergence of the "Vice" jerseys, which the team says it will wear for a total of ten games this season, feels fitting in retrospect. With more than 230,000 jerseys sold and $25 million in revenue generated, the iconic uniform has proven to be more than a fashion statement: it's a cultural phenomenon (not to mention one of the most bootlegged jerseys of all time).

The Miami Heat vice intro video 🚨

(Via @MiamiHEAT YT) pic.twitter.com/4kpWOmfbq8

— Emo Jimmy (@HeatCulture13) January 16, 2025

Were the promotional photos taken during happier times? Of course they were. If these were taken today, we would have more significant news: The band would be back together!

But knowing that's not the case, does it make it less awkward to have the Butler-Miami wedding photos emerge after the divorce papers have been served? Not at all.

Often imitated, never duplicated. #TheOriginalVice is back and on sale NOW - https://t.co/5cGP0wAVNG pic.twitter.com/q5BpsXhGSr

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 16, 2025

The juxtaposition of rumors and modeling photos smacked Heat fans was a wake-up smack in the face, but the pairing is fitting, as the popular uniforms, inspired by the 1980s Miami Vice television series, are as neon-soaked and in-your-face as the city's aesthetic and Butler's personality, in a good and bad way.

What is Jimmy thinking right here? pic.twitter.com/kXlPCQfzjb

— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) January 16, 2025

In an alternate universe, seeing Butler appear in the ads for the unexpected return would be a sight for sore eyes. Unfortunately, Heat fans' eyes are sore from crying as the team comes off back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles teams to end their road trip, only to return home to a house of turmoil and uncertainty. Nevertheless, a fan can hope. And seeing Butler staring through your screen in a Heat jersey brings memories of yesteryear, when he was a card-carrying member of the Heat Culture club.

The "Vice" uni series, which initially ran from 2018 to 2021, serves as a fitting encapsulation of the Butler-Heat era. It began before Dwyane Wade's "Last Dance" final season, continued into his return with the black versions, and with the arrival of Jimmy Butler in 2019-20. It culminates with his iconic performance in the 2020 NBA Finals, where he left an indelible mark by leading the Heat back into championship contention.

Now Butler metaphorically returns in the white jersey to wave the white flag on his Miami Heat career.