Replacement and Removal of the Statement “Pepsi” Jersey from the Pistons 25/26 Lineup
The Issue
The pride and spirit of a sports team lie not just in the players and the game, but also in the symbols that represent them, including their uniforms. A jersey is more than a piece of clothing; it's a representation of our community, our pride, and our values. Unfortunately, the team statement jersey, jokingly known as “Pepsi” to our beloved fans, does not reflect these essential principles and has become a topic of controversy.
Per Pistons Uniform Tracker on X (@PistonsUniforms), during the historic turnaround season in ‘24/‘25, the team had the worst win percentage (33%, 5-10) in these black statement jerseys among the 4 used in the season. Many fans have called for the return of previous jerseys (‘23-‘24/‘24-‘25 black or cream “Bad Boy” city editions, ‘21-‘22 red city edition, ‘22-‘23 “St. Cecilia’s”) to come back permanently and replace this statement jersey. The fans dislike this jersey so much that there are constantly designs being posted by creative users, hoping to catch the eye of the franchise.
Recent events have brought to light several concerns about the jersey design. Its simplicity really sticks out compared to our other jersey designs used throughout history (inclusion of the horse, red, teal, orange, lightning bolts, etc.). Whether it's the simple basic of design, terrible color choices, or lack of alignment with the team's rich history, these elements have sparked discussion and dissatisfaction among fans and supporters across Michigan. This jersey is known more for nicknames (i.e. Pepsi, Blue Lives Matter) than the team itself. Such disagreement over something so symbolic affects the unity of its fans with the team, harming the very spirit of camaraderie that sports are supposed to cultivate.
Change is necessary to ensure that the beloved Michigan team can continue to proudly represent the diverse and vibrant communities of Michigan. We propose a transparent review process involving fans, community leaders, and design experts to reconsider the jersey design. This collaborative approach can lead to a solution that honors tradition, respects values, and celebrates our collective identity.
The Pistons being such a decorated franchise have always been a league leader in promoting inclusivity and integrity, and our sports representation should be no different. Let us come together to demand a change that will restore pride and unity among our fans. Join us in calling for the removal of the “Pepsi” jersey from the team lineup and support the creation of a new, more representative design. Whether it is fan designed, a previous design voted on anything will be better than the Pepsi jersey.
Sign this petition to show your support for the update and replacement of the current statement jersey to add to a lineup that truly represents Piston values and spirit.
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The Issue
The pride and spirit of a sports team lie not just in the players and the game, but also in the symbols that represent them, including their uniforms. A jersey is more than a piece of clothing; it's a representation of our community, our pride, and our values. Unfortunately, the team statement jersey, jokingly known as “Pepsi” to our beloved fans, does not reflect these essential principles and has become a topic of controversy.
Per Pistons Uniform Tracker on X (@PistonsUniforms), during the historic turnaround season in ‘24/‘25, the team had the worst win percentage (33%, 5-10) in these black statement jerseys among the 4 used in the season. Many fans have called for the return of previous jerseys (‘23-‘24/‘24-‘25 black or cream “Bad Boy” city editions, ‘21-‘22 red city edition, ‘22-‘23 “St. Cecilia’s”) to come back permanently and replace this statement jersey. The fans dislike this jersey so much that there are constantly designs being posted by creative users, hoping to catch the eye of the franchise.
Recent events have brought to light several concerns about the jersey design. Its simplicity really sticks out compared to our other jersey designs used throughout history (inclusion of the horse, red, teal, orange, lightning bolts, etc.). Whether it's the simple basic of design, terrible color choices, or lack of alignment with the team's rich history, these elements have sparked discussion and dissatisfaction among fans and supporters across Michigan. This jersey is known more for nicknames (i.e. Pepsi, Blue Lives Matter) than the team itself. Such disagreement over something so symbolic affects the unity of its fans with the team, harming the very spirit of camaraderie that sports are supposed to cultivate.
Change is necessary to ensure that the beloved Michigan team can continue to proudly represent the diverse and vibrant communities of Michigan. We propose a transparent review process involving fans, community leaders, and design experts to reconsider the jersey design. This collaborative approach can lead to a solution that honors tradition, respects values, and celebrates our collective identity.
The Pistons being such a decorated franchise have always been a league leader in promoting inclusivity and integrity, and our sports representation should be no different. Let us come together to demand a change that will restore pride and unity among our fans. Join us in calling for the removal of the “Pepsi” jersey from the team lineup and support the creation of a new, more representative design. Whether it is fan designed, a previous design voted on anything will be better than the Pepsi jersey.
Sign this petition to show your support for the update and replacement of the current statement jersey to add to a lineup that truly represents Piston values and spirit.
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Petition created on July 18, 2025