[News] Retro jerseys are officially third jersey again

[Geeoff]

Use the 89s as the main jersey and the 04s as thirds. Flames would be hella stylish.

[Erick Estrada]

I'm fine with this but the primary uniforms could use an update. You would think the Flames would realize that a new design that is an improvement on the current jerseys would lead to increased sales.

[sun]

Bittersweet. They should go full retro. Home and away.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

I'd be happier about this if my retro didn't have Baertschi on it.

If it is 27 then enjoy your new Hamilton Jersey after a name bar swap. If it is 47 then guess you're hooped.

[Flash Walken]

<----

Originally Posted by Bingo

I just don't get choices they've made over the past few years. Is it the Flames themselves? Design companies? Lack of focus groups?

I just find the current sets, the last third very underwhelming and with such a current pushing the retros I don't get it.

Especially with the league going retro everywhere. Edmonton, Vancouver, Islanders, Sabres, Flyers ... Hawks, Wings, Habs, Rangers refusing to change.

The Flames have a 1972 staple and they don't use it enough. They're classic!

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I would see Ken wandering the Saddledome all the time when I worked in the warehouse a few years back - his horrible fashion choices are not limited to sportswear.

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Like how hard is it for Flames Office people to just creep CP and Guage what fans want?

This is welcome news, but annoying it took so long.

[Young_Guns]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

I think some of the higher ups currently with the Flames just have bad taste with unis. Remember when they originally retired Vernon's jersey in the current black C design, in a style he never even wore? Later on once they finally fixed it, Ken King admitted his fingerprints were all over the original decision to do it in the black C.

I wonder how much sway he has on the final decision on uniform designs. Dude just seems to really like his black in unis. I really like the guy, but he and those in charge of that stuff have horrible sports fashion taste. Should leave it to the experts with that stuff.

Finally someone mentions this, I always bring it up but nobody ever seems to know what I am talking about. I called Fan960 once to complain about this and Pat Steinberg just hung up on me for calling out Ken King on retiring Vernon's number in the wrong colours.

[Young_Guns]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I would see Ken wandering the Saddledome all the time when I worked in the warehouse a few years back - his horrible fashion choices are not limited to sportswear.

Lets not forget the brutal "Ronald McDonald" Heritage Classic threads. Those were super clownish and I am sure Ken had a say in those as well.

October 14th though, 80's Oilers threads and 80's Flames threads. The way it always should have been. Canucks should go to the 90's skate logo full time as well along with the Jets going back to the 80's or 90's design.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by pac_4_ever

Finally someone mentions this, I always bring it up but nobody ever seems to know what I am talking about. I called Fan960 once to complain about this and Pat Steinberg just hung up on me for calling out Ken King on retiring Vernon's number in the wrong colours.

Well good for Pat. I would have hung up on you too. What a silly thing to be so upset about; upset enough to call in to a radio show and take up valuable air time with.

My mind is going back to the Seinfeld routine about how we cheer for laundry and not the person. Seems apt right about now.

[MrMastodonFarm]

"valuable air time"

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

"valuable air time"

so to speak. Someone is paying for it with ads, so it has some value I guess. I meant more that there are more important things to discuss with the time allowed for a call in show.

[nik-]

I'm pretty sure the Fan 960 is desperate for any content they can put on the air.

I'm guessing they were fine with it.

[Flash Walken]

A coherent caller with an actual issue would be a step up from the usual drivel.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

A coherent caller with an actual issue would be a step up from the usual drivel.

A coherent caller with an actual issue would be a step up from the host.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I just don't get choices they've made over the past few years. Is it the Flames themselves? Design companies? Lack of focus groups?

While there are always terrible agencies and designers who push bad work, in my experience most of the time when you run into situations like this, it's because of something on the client side of the equation.

There is always someone who sets expectations or approves directions on the client side, and if that person is out of touch or ill-informed, it can be a massive road block. That one person not only decides which design agency gets to tackle a project, but also is the gatekeeper of whether ideas get pushed through or not. The Flames tend to be run by old conservative men with roots to the energy sector...that's not typically a demographic known for progressive design sensibilities.

In terms of them seeming out of touch, it's probably because someone (ie a Ken King type) is asking for work that is inherently cheesy or conservative (this is where we see things like cowboy boots on skates), or there are too many people involved that results in watered down product.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by nik-

A coherent caller with an actual issue would be a step up from the host.

"Thank you for that mean comment my friend!"

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

I'd be happier about this if my retro didn't have Baertschi on it.

Originally Posted by Tacopuck

I have the same jersey.... so much shame, so much sadness

Matthew Phillips was assigned #47 for rookie camp (i.e. for a namebar switch). Still a few years away though...

[nik-]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

"Thank you for that mean comment my friend!"

Sorry, I won't understand your post until you keeping making it four or five times.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by nik-

Sorry, I won't understand your post until you keeping making it four or five times.

Is it ok if I just repeat the same post and hope my meaning becomes clear while getting increasingly upset?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I think it is also worth mentioning that a lot of designs for apparel seem to be made at the league level, this wouldn't be true for jerseys but probably does explain a lot of the hats/shirts/hoodies/jackets etc.

If you look at that kind of stuff you'll notice that pretty much every team has the same hat design with just the logo and team name switched.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Table 5

While there are always terrible agencies and designers who push bad work, in my experience most of the time when you run into situations like this, it's because of something on the client side of the equation.

There is always someone who sets expectations or approves directions on the client side, and if that person is out of touch or ill-informed, it can be a massive road block. That one person not only decides which design agency gets to tackle a project, but also is the gatekeeper of whether ideas get pushed through or not. The Flames tend to be run by old conservative men with roots to the energy sector...that's not typically a demographic known for progressive design sensibilities.

In terms of them seeming out of touch, it's probably because someone (ie a Ken King type) is asking for work that is inherently cheesy or conservative (this is where we see things like cowboy boots on skates), or there are too many people involved that results in watered down product.

I watched this unfold first hand last year.

74 year old man dictating the design and content of a website for a company that does millions of dollars in sales a year.

I was embarrassed for the marketing company, but they made out like bandits on the contract that eventually ended up going nowhere.