A few days ago, Sporting officially launched their new 2022-23 third shirt. However, it is not new at all, but relies on a "recycled" graphic pattern, which was used a year ago. Let us find out what this is all about below.
Sporting 22-23 Third Kit Released
Sporting 2022-23 Third Kit Vs FC Augsburg 2021-22 Away Jersey
Mainly white, the Nike Sporting Lisbon 2022-2023 third shirt combines this clean base colour with a grey all-over graphic pattern resembling a chess board.
FC Augsburg's 21-22 away kit is almost completely identical. It is also white with the exact same grey all-over graphic pattern, while the V-neck and sleeve cuffs are also grey this time around.
Funnily enough, Sporting already "recycled" their new home jersey this season by simply inverting the hoops.
Sporting 22-23 Home Kit Released
The reason for these repeating graphics among Nike teams is the fact that there is a standard 'B-team template'. A number of graphic options are available, with customizable color combinations to go along with that.
Well-known examples of Nike 'B-teams' include Freiburg, Augsburg, 1860, Salzburg, Young Boys, Birmingham, Huesca, Benevento, Sevilla and Granada (both until 21-22). Of course there are many more, easily identifiable by this template used primarily during the 2021-22 season.
How do you rate Sporting's kit deal with Nike? Did any other teams use this graphic pattern? Comment below.