Kyle Kuzma is wearing pink again. But this time, the fans love it.
The Washington Wizards and Washington Nationals on Tuesday jointly unveiled new cherry blossom-themed uniforms. The pink-tinged uniforms adorned with cherry blossoms are a nod to the national capital’s famous and iconic flower.
The release is the first uniform collaboration between NBA and MLB teams from the same market.
District of Cherry Blossoms 🌸 pic.twitter.com/t4EQ4TB2Nf
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 29, 2022
The Wizards’ new “City Edition” alternate jerseys won’t be worn until next season, but the Nationals will don their “City Connect” uniforms next weekend in their season-opening series against the New York Mets.
“Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms represent hope and new beginnings, making them the perfect symbol of this Nationals team,” Nationals owner Mark Lerner said. “We’re excited to unveil these beautiful uniforms as the embodiment of our historic organization’s hopeful future as we lead the District of Cherry Blossoms celebration with our friends at the Wizards.”
The uniform reveal coincides with the blooming of cherry blossom trees in the District. The beautiful flowers draw more than 1.5 million to the nation’s capital every spring for the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Both teams unveiled the new uniforms with hype videos.
Few things go together like a D.C. spring and the blooming of Cherry Blossoms.
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 29, 2022
An iconic presence in D.C. since arriving as a gift from the Japanese government, the Cherry Blossoms attract visitors to the DMV to see the bloom along the waterfront. pic.twitter.com/wwHxZZCVNl
HERE
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 29, 2022
COMES
🌸 THE BLOOM 🌸#BloomDay // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/vGuXlbRc0o
PHOTOS: Washington Nationals Cherry Blossom City Connect Retail Launch Party
The Wizards’ uniforms are vibrant, with bright pink tops and shorts that fade from pink to blue. Cherry blossoms also appear on the side of the uniform that star Bradley Beal, youngster Rui Hachimura and fashionista Kyle Kuzma promoted for the team. Unlike that time Kuzma was mocked for wearing an oversized pink sweater before a Wizards game, Wizards fans dug the new fit.
“We are excited to announce our Cherry Blossom jersey today and look forward to seeing them on the court next season,” said Hunter Lochmann, Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s chief marketing officer. “We know Wizards fans have been asking for a Cherry Blossom jersey for some time, so we are glad it’s come to fruition.”
As eye-catching as the trees along the Tidal Basin. pic.twitter.com/zwPBUuMJp0
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 29, 2022
The new Nationals’ threads, meanwhile, are a charcoal color with pink cherry blossoms that pop out on the jersey with cream-colored pants. The jerseys will be worn for select games by the Nationals for the next three seasons.
The Nationals’ cherry blossom jerseys will be available Wednesday online at the team store and on Nike’s website on April 5. Cherry blossom Wizards jerseys won’t be available for purchase until November.
Business is bloomin’ 🌸#BloomDay // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/AKSuBGEjjr
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 29, 2022
The Nationals are the first MLB team to reveal their “City Connect” uniforms for the 2022 season. The Astros, Royals, Rockies, Angels, Brewers and Padres are also unveiling their versions throughout the year.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.