Ayrton Oneill
In basketball, the home team traditionally wears white jerseys, while the visiting team wears dark jerseys. This custom dates back to the early days of basketball when games were played in dimly lit arenas, making it easier for fans to distinguish the teams. Over time, this tradition became a standard in basketball culture, with exceptions like the Los Angeles Lakers, who famously wear purple and gold. However, in recent years, the NBA has relaxed this convention, allowing home teams to choose their jersey colours, leading to a more diverse and creative array of uniforms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Home jerseys white | Was a tradition in basketball |
| Was a rule in the NBA until 2017-18 season | |
| Was easier to distinguish on black and white TV | |
| Home team advantage – white jerseys are physically intimidating | |
| White jerseys are easier to keep clean | |
| White jerseys are cooler in hot climates | |
| Exceptions | Los Angeles Lakers (yellow), Michigan Wolverines (yellow), LSU Tigers (yellow), Missouri Tigers (yellow), West Virginia Mountaineers (yellow), Illinois Fighting Illini (orange), Kansas State Wildcats (lavender) |
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What You'll Learn
- The home team wearing white dates back to the era of black-and-white television
- White jerseys are easier to keep clean
- White jerseys are less heat-absorbent in hot climates
- White jerseys make players look more physically intimidating
- The Los Angeles Lakers were the first NBA franchise to adopt non-white jerseys as standard home attire
The home team wearing white dates back to the era of black-and-white television
The tradition of the home team wearing white jerseys dates back to the era of black-and-white television. This custom was prevalent in various sports, including basketball, hockey, and soccer. The need for contrasting colours to distinguish teams on television screens was essential, and a "white vs colour" game provided the necessary visual contrast for viewers.
In the early days of television, sports leagues and competitions often mandated that away teams wear alternative kits, particularly in North American sports. This tradition carried over into the era of colour television, with white jerseys remaining a staple even decades later. However, the introduction of colour television also sparked a shift in preferences, with some viewers favouring colour jerseys at home, as they embody character, richness, and boldness more strongly than white.
In basketball, the home team's white jerseys were once a mainstay in the NBA, but they have become less common in recent years. The Los Angeles Lakers were the first NBA franchise to break this tradition, adopting purple and gold as their standard home attire in 1967. This change allowed local fans to associate the iconic yellow jerseys with home games, while still offering variety when a visiting team wore their own colours.
The evolution of jersey designs in the NBA has been influenced by marketing strategies and the introduction of new uniforms each season. Teams now have more freedom to express their creativity and build their brand identities through uniform design. However, this has also led to a more complex process of selecting jerseys for each game, with considerations for consistency, colour differentiation, and commercial appeal.
While the tradition of the home team wearing white dates back to the practical needs of black-and-white television, the modern era has brought changes. Today, the home team in basketball may opt for coloured jerseys, prioritising aesthetics, team identity, and marketing opportunities. This shift reflects the dynamic nature of sports traditions and the influence of technological advancements on the visual presentation of sports.
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White jerseys are easier to keep clean
White jerseys were once a staple of home basketball games. This tradition began in the era of black-and-white television, where a "white vs. colour" dynamic made it easier for viewers to differentiate between the two teams. This was especially important in sports arenas, which were often dimly lit due to gas lamps, creating a thick haze.
However, with the advent of colour television, the need for white jerseys as a visual cue became less crucial. Today, the choice of jersey colour is more about marketing and creating a unique identity for each game. This has led to a decline in the once-standard white home jerseys, as teams seek to showcase a range of designs and colours to excite fans and build brand affinity.
Despite this shift, one advantage of white jerseys remains relevant: they are easier to keep clean. White jerseys, particularly in basketball where physical contact and sweating are inevitable, can become stained and dirty. White jerseys are more forgiving in this regard, as they can be washed and show less dirt, making them appear cleaner for longer. This is especially beneficial for home games, where teams have access to their own laundry facilities and can ensure their jerseys are presentable for their fans.
Additionally, in cities with hot climates, white jerseys are preferred as they absorb and retain less heat in sunlight. This is a strategic choice for teams in these locations, as it keeps players cooler and more comfortable during games.
While the tradition of white home jerseys in basketball may be fading, the practicality of easier cleaning and temperature regulation continues to make them a favourable choice for some teams. The balance between tradition, visual appeal, and practicality influences the jersey colour choices in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of basketball.
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White jerseys are less heat-absorbent in hot climates
White jerseys were once an NBA mainstay, with the home team wearing white and the visiting team wearing colours. However, this convention has been largely abandoned in recent years, with teams now opting for more creative and marketable jersey designs.
While the conventional wisdom is that white jerseys are less heat-absorbent in hot climates, the science on this question is mixed. Some sources argue that light-coloured clothing reflects solar heat away from the body, keeping the wearer cooler. This is especially important in hot, humid weather when the risk of breaking out into a sweat is higher.
Other sources, however, claim that the difference in heat absorption between white and dark clothing is negligible. For example, one study found that while black clothing absorbs more heat, this additional heat is lost by the time it reaches the skin. Another study found that white clothing could potentially reflect the heat radiated by the body back onto the body, making the wearer warmer. This theory has been observed in birds with white plumage but has not yet been tested on humans.
Ultimately, factors other than colour may be more important in determining how cool a jersey is. These factors include the looseness of the clothing, which allows for better airflow, and the breathability of the fabric. For example, cotton is a breathable and comfortable fabric that is suitable for hot weather, as long as the wearer does not sweat profusely. Silk is also lightweight and breathable, but it is not ideal for those who sweat a lot as it can retain odours. Polyester is another option for hot weather as it is light and water-repellent, although it is non-absorbent and can grow bacteria that cause odours.
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White jerseys make players look more physically intimidating
In basketball, the tradition of the home team wearing white jerseys dates back to the sport's early days. While the custom has evolved and exceptions exist, white home jerseys remain prevalent. One intriguing theory suggests that white jerseys make players look more physically intimidating, enhancing their presence on the court. This psychological edge may contribute to increased home-court advantage, influencing game outcomes and, consequently, ticket sales and team improvements.
Historically, the choice of jersey colours for basketball teams was influenced by tradition and practicality. In the early days of basketball, it was common for the home team to wear white jerseys, while the away team wore darker colours. This tradition can be traced back to the 19th century, when Major League Baseball teams established the convention of wearing white at home and grey on the road. The rationale for this practice was likely rooted in the challenges of laundry and keeping white uniforms clean during extended trips away from home.
Over time, the tradition of white home jerseys became a staple in the NBA. However, in recent years, this tradition has begun to fade, with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers adopting non-white jerseys as their standard home attire. The NBA's introduction of new uniform designs each season has also contributed to the diminishing prevalence of white home jerseys. Despite these changes, the home team still typically wears light-coloured jerseys, in contrast to the visiting team's darker colours.
The preference for white jerseys at home is not limited to basketball; it has been a tradition in various sports, including baseball and football. In the National Football League (NFL), for example, it was common for teams to wear white jerseys on the road, particularly with the rise of television in the 1950s. A "white vs colour" game was easier for viewers to follow during the black-and-white television era.
While the tradition of white home jerseys in basketball may have originated from practicality and visibility, the psychological impact of these jerseys on players and opponents is intriguing. The perception of increased physical intimidation in white jerseys may be a factor in teams' jersey colour choices, especially when playing at home. This subtle advantage could influence game strategies and further reinforce the tradition of white jerseys in basketball.
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The Los Angeles Lakers were the first NBA franchise to adopt non-white jerseys as standard home attire
In the past, the tradition in basketball was that the home team would wear white jerseys, while the visiting team would wear darker jerseys. This convention was previously seen in American sports such as North American football and hockey, where the home team wears vibrant, multi-coloured jerseys, and the visiting team wears white.
The Los Angeles Lakers broke with this tradition in 1967 when they adopted purple and gold as their standard home attire. This was a radical departure from their previous colours of navy blue, royal blue, and white. The Lakers were the first NBA franchise to make non-white jerseys their standard home attire, and their iconic yellow jerseys became synonymous with their success on the court.
Over time, the NBA has moved away from the traditional white home jerseys, with franchises now treating jerseys as part of an entire marketing ensemble. The league has introduced new uniforms each season, creating a dynamic and ever-changing aesthetic. The process of selecting jerseys has become more complex, with teams designing their City Edition jerseys with Nike two seasons ahead of their debut.
While the Lakers have continued to update and modify their uniforms, they have retained their iconic purple and gold colour scheme. In the 2017-18 season, the Lakers' "City" uniform paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, featuring an all-black design with subtle snakeskin patterns and black letters with gold trim. In the 2025-26 season, the Lakers once again updated their purple "Statement" uniform, removing the black side panels and adding white letters with gold trim and drop shadows. These changes showcase the evolution of the Lakers' uniforms while maintaining their distinctive non-white colour scheme.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not anymore. Until the 2017-18 season, the rules of the NBA stated that the home team must wear light-coloured jerseys, which were usually white. However, the home team is now allowed to designate whether it will wear a lighter or darker-coloured jersey, with the visiting team wearing a jersey of sufficient contrast.
There are a few reasons. Firstly, when sports were broadcast on black-and-white television, home teams wore white so viewers could easily tell the teams apart. Secondly, before the widespread use of electric lighting, NBA arenas were lit by gas lamps, which produced a thick haze. The home team wore white to make them easier for fans to see.
The NBA has become more creative with team uniforms, treating them as part of the year's commercial enterprise. Jerseys are now ever-changing, with new uniforms introduced each season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the first NBA franchise to make non-white jerseys their standard home attire, opting for yellow. Other exceptions in college basketball include the Michigan Wolverines, LSU Tigers, Missouri Tigers, and West Virginia Mountaineers, who wear yellow at home, and the Illinois Fighting Illini, who wear orange.
