http://www.splitreason.com/Product_Images/0ec78f27e81b-xl.jpg
Like EG/Liquid/many others still have just T-Shirt jerseys for their players to wear in active competition?
Certainly its a fine option for a consumer, but I find it weird there is not a higher end option that forms their standard uniform.
As someone who has coached a handful of lower league basketball teams and so on, T-Shirt jerseys are usually the answer for organizations who keep their money in a ceramic piggy jar. Not for people who want to move product as part of their business plan.
I thought that was fine initially because I figured it would take time for the well established teams to get designers, a producer and such. But as time goes on I find myself still waiting to see better efforts.
I mean certainly there is confusion as to what players should be outfitted in since it all has little purpose other than to not have them sitting on stage naked. It's not like a contact sport where design follows function.
But I mean for greener pastures just look at the NaVi DotA 2 jersies.
http://cdn-web.steelseries.com/wp-content/themes/steelseries/images/dendi_p4.jpg
I mean when you see something that quality, with a distinct colorway and an atypical cut (basically like a hockey jersey) it really makes a player stand out.
As for encouraging the growth of ESPORTs what is a better talking piece than an unusual piece of clothing you wear to a friend's house or similar?
That image a player exudes from being in a well-designed uniform is really the key to moving gear. No Boston Celtics fan for example, has watched their team battle in the classic greens and not wanted to don those colours themselves at least at some level.
I know for a fact a lot of people out there would love to sit around and watch the next MLG in their team's best gear. Certainly T-Shirts accomplish this as well, but without going into excessive detail on developing a brand I'm really concerned with how long some teams are just letting this stand. It matters on every front, think about photos getting promoted to mainstream media.
The best really in SC2 right now are the TeSL jackets. I mean sure this picture is WhiteRa so its a bit like corking the bat when making a point about bad-assery but come on.
http://globalevent.ttesports.com/newsletter/image/20110525en_003.PNG
Maybe the hesitation comes from how comical competitive Starcraft players have looked in the past.
Everyone of course has seen the Brood War players dressed as space travelling samurais, but for me I'd like to see strides taken.