In the wake of the announcement that the Buffalo Bills will have new uniforms in 2011, many have wondered how the decision fits into the NFL's changing jersey landscape. 2011 will be the last year that NFL merchandise will be produced by Reebok; Nike will take over apparel operations in 2012.
According to a report from WIVB, who spoke with Bills Director of Marketing Andy Major, Nike is not involved in this latest Bills jersey re-design. Reebok will be involved in the efforts; in fact, as the jersey has already been designed (Fred Jackson let that cat out of the bag), it's likely that Reebok helped develop the new look.
Major also confirmed to WIVB that the team will not be using their highly popular throwback uniforms as their full-time jersey, and that the new jerseys are a completely new design.
It is unclear how Buffalo's new design will be impacted, if at all, when Nike takes the NFL's uniform reins in 2012. Changes are coming, though, according to Nike Brand President Charlie Denson, who spoke with CNBC's Darren Rovell last October when the deal was announced.
"We plan on changing the NFL jersey dramatically just like we've done with the college programs, using new thinking and the greatest technology available," Denson said at the time. "The NFL program hasn't had the same type of advancement in recent years."