Cleveland Cavs Unveil Art-Inspired Uniform in Collaboration with Cleveland Museum of Art
CLEVELAND, OH — The Cleveland Cavaliers introduced their 2024-25 Nike NBA City Edition uniform, drawing inspiration from the Cleveland Museum of Art, in a release designed to celebrate the city’s cultural heritage. The uniform, adorned with two-tone blues and unique art elements, will debut on November 17, when the Cavaliers face off against the Charlotte Hornets. This uniform not only marks a tribute to Cleveland's art scene but also reflects a broader NBA initiative that seeks to deepen the connection between communities and the teams that represent them.
The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA), known for its extensive collection spanning 6,000 years of human history, is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading art institutions. Todd Mesek, Chief Marketing Officer at CMA, underscored the institution's impact on the local and global art community, saying, “The Cleveland Museum of Art, like the Cavaliers, continues to generate huge accolades not only for the museum but for the city of Cleveland.” CMA, which hosts over 66,500 works of art, continues to evolve, most recently announcing its exclusive "Picasso in Paper" exhibition as part of its commitment to premiering significant global works for North American audiences. "If you haven’t been to the CMA recently, you haven’t been to the CMA," Mesek added.
The uniform’s design incorporates architectural elements inspired by the museum’s west wing and features a light blue front symbolizing the museum's signature hue, while a darker blue on the back recalls the Cavaliers’ color from 1994. The jersey also includes interactive “torn-away pieces” on the sides, which reveal a coloring book pattern filled with iconic Cleveland imagery. Fans are encouraged to color the designs, allowing them to personalize their jerseys and further connect with the team.
Chris Kaiser, Chief Marketing Officer for the Cavaliers, highlighted the planning and creative processes behind the design. “It has to start 2 and a half to 3 years in advance...but we were actually able to plan out a three-year story arc," Kaiser shared, noting that past designs celebrated Cleveland’s natural resources and performing arts. "Now we wanted to shine a light on some of these cultural gems within the art community here in Northeast Ohio.” Kaiser also acknowledged the team’s recent performance, currently on a 13-game winning streak, attributing the Cavaliers’ success to the city’s loyal fan base. “It makes my job super easy as the Chief Marketing Officer of a team in a city with sports fans like this,” Kaiser said.
The Cavaliers' new City Edition home court design further emphasizes the art theme, with a coloring book motif featured on the floor. A prominent “The Land” logo appears at center court, while “Cleveland” and “Cavaliers” stretch across the baselines. During six City Edition games throughout the season, the court will echo the creative spirit of the uniform, with each game inviting fans to immerse themselves in the artistic vision that shaped the design.
The collaboration between the Cavaliers and CMA extends beyond game nights. On December 6, the museum will host its monthly MIX event, themed “Art of the Game.” The event, set in the museum's Ames Family Atrium, will feature DJ Steph Floss, the Cavaliers' official DJ, and appearances from the Cavaliers Dance Team and Scream Team. In addition, the museum will house a pop-up Cavs shop with exclusive cobranded merchandise and displays, including Donovan Mitchell’s latest signature Adidas sneakers.
As part of this collaboration, the Cavaliers and CMA have pledged a $10,000 donation to the Rainey Institute, an organization providing arts education and programming for Cleveland’s youth. The institute, dedicated to nurturing creativity in Northeast Ohio, will receive the donation at the Cavaliers' final City Edition home game on March 27. Rainey Institute’s commitment to accessible arts programming and holistic youth development aligns with the Cavaliers and CMA’s shared mission to inspire future generations.
With a release of the 2024-25 City Edition line of apparel, including t-shirts, hoodies, and hats, the Cavaliers hope to deepen the community’s connection to Cleveland’s vibrant cultural landscape. Ticketed fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will have first access to these items, reflecting the organization's mission to blend sports and art into a unique fan experience.
As Bill Fagan, President of Business Operations for the Cavaliers, expressed, “It’s an honor to be here with you as we unveil our 2024-25 Nike City Edition Uniform. I’d like to extend a special thank you to the Cleveland Museum of Art...for partnering with us.” Fans are encouraged to attend these games and events, which embody the collective spirit of art and sports that resonates across Cleveland.
For more details on the new uniform, fans can visit Cavs.com/City.
