Love it or Leaf it: Toronto teamed up with Justin Bieber for a new jersey

Posted On: April 7, 2022

The Toronto Maple Leafs will debut their Next Gen uniform on Wednesday created in collaboration with Canadian pop icon Justin Bieber.

The first reversible sweater in North American pro sports designed in partnership with Adidas and the NHL. It features the main crest with a shibori-inspired print and the Toronto skyline woven into the ribbon on the sleeves of the uniform’s sweater and socks.

The reversible version features a “picture house” — the Bieber brand — an inspired version with gold trim, with house motif elements drawn within the classic Leafs logo.

We’ll rock black and blue, hby?

The Leafs x @drewhouse The flipside jersey is there. pic.twitter.com/UqvnQdpPny

—@MapleLeafs

“My love for Maple Leafs has always been a big part of me, and my passion for the team, and the passion of millions of fans, is sewn into this Next Gen sweater,” Bieber said in the release. “I thank the Leafs for the opportunity to work together again to create something so authentic for the team and its fans.”

Wednesday’s Next Gen Game was part of the annual team event held in 2017.

“We are excited to be taking Next Gen to the next level with a custom uniform designed with our next generation in mind,” said Leafs successor president and governor Brendan Shanahan.

“The opportunity to collaborate with Justin and draw a house to create a unique alternative sweater will make it even more special for our fans and team.”

Next Gen Games debuted in 2017 as a youth celebration in the community to bring fans of all ages together through teams and hockey games. This annual event features family-friendly programming and sees youth participate in several areas of gaming operations including team introductions, in-game entertainment and broadcasting.

Ryan Good, creative director and co-founder of draw house, called the opportunity to partner with the Leafs a “dream come true.”

“Our lifestyle collaboration with the Leafs last fall was huge and we’re so excited to make history with this sweater for the team we love,” said Good.

Next Gen sweaters are made from materials that contain a minimum of 50 percent recycled content. The ADIZERO Primegreen Authentic NHL Adidas Hockey Sweater launched for all 32 teams this season.

The Next Gen jersey is the 15th alternative uniform worn by the Maple Leafs in the club’s history.