About six weeks ago, I pointed out that a Dwight Howard action figure available for preorder on Amazon.com could offer a preview of the Orlando Magic's as-yet-unrevealed black alternate uniform. This uniform appears in the current issue of SLAM Magazine, on newsstands now, which further fuels speculation that the team will unveil it soon. Twitter user @justinrcole posted an image on his account this morning. Independently--which is to say, "unofficially"--I've heard that the Magic indeed plan to introduce the uniform this season, though my source says there's "no timetable" as to when.
Curiously, that same Howard action figure on Amazon is now clad in white, which led me to wonder privately earlier this week if the uniform had been scrapped. And another online retailer posted this update to its listing for the figure:
NOTE - This item has been changed by the manufacturer - it will now be dressed in the whitwe [sic] Home version of the Orlando uniform, and the previously-announced Collector level figure has been cancelled [sic].
If the latest issue of SLAM is any indication, though, the black uniforms will happen. It's only a matter of time.
Black uniforms are rare in the NBA, as only five teams have them as part of their wardrobe. The Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs wear black uniforms on the road, while the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have black alternates.
UPDATE: This news is interesting. On his Twitter account, Howard announced that he will be on hand tomorrow morning at the NBA Store in New York City to unveil "the new adidas and NBA Revolution 30 uniforms." This next bit is speculation on my part, so please don't take it as official, but... Might that event include the formal unveiling of the Magic's black uniform?