Jay-Z will help design the Brooklyn Nets logo and uniforms

On Monday, we informed you of the Nets' decision to keep the team's nickname when they move to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2012. It was a smart move, both because the Nets name is very simple and for its general lack of controversy. Plus, it has that retro cache that Brooklyn loves so much.

However, the Nets will require new jerseys. In addition to the usual group of designers, the Nets' new uniforms will have input from one of their owners. The most famous one, too. From Rich Calder for the New York Post (via PBT):

Rap mogul Jay-Z ? co-founder of the hip clothing line Rocawear ? is working with Nets brass and Adidas to design uniforms for the team when it moves into the under-construction Barclays Center in Brooklyn next year, Nets officials told the Post yesterday.

Jay Z, Adidas and the Nets are currently ironing out a logo for the Brooklyn Nets and deciding what colors their uniforms should be.

No matter what, the logo will feature Brooklyn prominently because the club wants to tap into the borough's world-popular brand name, officials said.

The Nets' current logo features the word "Nets" hovering over a basketball.

It will be tough to top the genius of a team name hanging over the ball of their particular sport, but that is why they pay these designers the big bucks. I just hope someone told the artists that this is a basketball team and not a fishing business. That kind of confusion could lead to big problems.

As noted by Calder, Mr. Z is already involved in the fashion industry and could have some great input on the design. Trey Kerby already worked up a potential look for the uniform at The Basketball Jones, and it's basically perfect: silly font, Rocawear branding, and a healthy dose of the "Watch the Throne" cover art. All it's missing is an ostentatious silk scarf.

We can only hope that the finished product manages to be half as interesting. In other words, more "American Gangster" than "Kingdom Come."

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