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The jerseys of the losing team in a basketball tournament are often never seen again. Manufacturers and retailers produce and stock two sets of jerseys, hats, and other merchandise, each declaring a different team the champion. In the event of a loss, the losing team's merchandise is often returned and donated to third-world countries or destroyed. The winning team's merchandise, on the other hand, is produced in larger quantities after the win. With the introduction of the City Edition concept by Nike in 2017, the aesthetics of NBA jerseys have undergone significant changes, with teams now having more freedom to wear colours of their choosing and even dress as different teams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of losing team jerseys produced | 300 |
| What happens to the losing team's jerseys | Destroyed, donated to third-world countries, or used as a tax write-off |
| Who produces the jerseys | Manufacturers and retailers produce two sets of jerseys, declaring each team the winner |
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What You'll Learn
Championship merchandise is destroyed or donated
Championship merchandise for the losing team is often destroyed or donated. Manufacturers and retailers produce and stock two sets of merchandise, declaring each team the winner. When a team wins, they are immediately presented with pre-made shirts and hats to celebrate. However, the losing team's merchandise will never be worn or see the light of day.
In some cases, the losing team's merchandise is donated to charities or missions in third-world countries. For example, Blue 84 invoices at half the cost for the losing team's merchandise and ships these items to missions in third-world countries. Similarly, Major League Baseball (MLB) has a contract with retailers that includes a clause specifying that losing teams' merchandise must be donated to World Vision within 24 hours of a team's loss. This prevents the merchandise from entering the general marketplace.
Some people speculate that losing teams' merchandise is destroyed, as it is unlikely that many items are made in advance. However, it is possible that some items may slip through the cracks and find their way into the hands of fans or collectors. For example, ESPN did a story on what happened to the 2008 New England Patriots' 19-0 apparel, which led viewers to Nicaragua.
The introduction of the "City Edition" concept by Nike, the league outfitter since 2017, has further complicated the landscape of NBA jerseys. Teams now have the freedom to choose their jersey colours and designs, drawing inspiration from their home cities or states rather than traditional team colours. This has resulted in unique and sometimes unexpected combinations, such as Dallas in metallic gold and silver, or Miami's "Vice" series.
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Winners' merchandise is produced in the thousands
The global basketball merchandise market is witnessing minimal growth, influenced by factors such as fluctuating consumer interest in sports and online shopping. However, the market is expected to grow in the coming years due to increasing digitization, rising disposable income, and the growing popularity of basketball in various regions. The winning team's merchandise will be produced in the thousands to meet consumer demand.
Manufacturers and retailers produce and stock two sets of merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, and other items, declaring each team the champion. This is to ensure that they have enough stock for the winning team. The losing team's merchandise is likely destroyed, although there are suggestions that they are donated to other countries as a tax write-off.
The demand for basketball merchandise is driven by macroeconomic factors such as consumer spending, economic growth, and cultural trends. The growing popularity of basketball leagues and the rise of athleisure wear have also contributed to the market's growth. International markets, such as China, with its growing middle class and interest in Western sports, play a significant role in promoting merchandise sales.
The NBA's business model relies heavily on basketball-related income (BRI), which includes revenue from ticket purchases, broadcast deals, and merchandising rights from jersey and apparel sales. As the NBA expands its viewership and revenue streams, the demand for winners' merchandise increases, leading to the production of thousands of items to meet consumer demand.
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Retailers stock two sets of merchandise
In the past, it was common for these items to be shipped overseas to people in need, often in disaster areas or impoverished nations. For example, after the Arizona Cardinals lost Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, their gear was sent to children and families in El Salvador. Similarly, in 2010, when the New Orleans Saints defeated Indianapolis, the Colts' merchandise for Super Bowl XLIV was donated to Haiti, which had just experienced a devastating earthquake.
The charitable organization Good360, based in Alexandria, Virginia, specializes in handling excess consumer merchandise and distributing it to those in need. They took over the NFL's excess goods distribution in 2015, ensuring that the losing team's apparel, such as shirts, hats, and sweatshirts, doesn't go to waste and instead reaches those who can benefit from it.
While it may be a long-running joke that losing teams' merchandise ends up in Africa or Southeast Asia, the reality is that these items are put to good use through charitable donations. This allows retailers and manufacturers to avoid waste and provide support to communities in need.
Although the losing team's merchandise may not be as sought-after as that of the champions, it still serves a purpose and brings joy to those who receive it through charitable organizations.
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Winners are presented with pre-made shirts
In sports, it is customary for the winning team to be presented with commemorative merchandise, such as shirts, hats, and other items, immediately following their victory. This merchandise is often pre-made, produced and stocked in advance by manufacturers and retailers, who create two sets of merchandise, one for each team, in anticipation of the game's outcome.
The winning team is typically presented with these pre-made shirts, which serve as a symbol of their achievement and a memento of their triumph. These shirts are often designed with the team's logo, colors, and other relevant graphics, allowing the players to proudly display their victory.
The shirts are usually distributed to the winning team members, who can wear them during post-game celebrations, media appearances, and other events associated with the tournament. This tradition adds to the excitement and sense of accomplishment for the winning team and their fans, providing a tangible reminder of their success.
In some cases, the shirts may also be made available for purchase by fans and supporters of the winning team. This offers an opportunity for fans to own a piece of memorabilia associated with the victory and to show their support and pride in their team's achievement. The sale of this merchandise can also contribute to the overall revenue generated by the tournament and the team's brand.
Additionally, the shirts presented to the winning team may be produced in limited quantities, adding to their exclusivity and collectability. They become sought-after items for fans and collectors, who value them as mementos of significant sporting achievements.
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The notion of home or away jerseys has been eliminated
The NBA has historically had strict uniform standards, with the home team wearing light-coloured jerseys and the visiting team wearing dark jerseys. However, in 2017, Nike took over the contract to produce NBA jerseys and introduced significant changes. The traditional white-at-home standard was eliminated, and teams were given the freedom to choose the colour of their jerseys. This shift also extended to the notion of "home" and "away" jerseys, which were replaced by four "editions" for each team.
The new classification system includes the "Association" edition, analogous to the previous home whites, and the "Icon" edition, which represents the darker-coloured jerseys previously worn by visiting teams. Additionally, the "City Edition" was introduced, allowing teams to showcase unique and creative designs, sometimes even dressing as different teams. These changes have resulted in increased jersey diversity, with teams like the Lakers abandoning their traditional gold jerseys and opting for different colours.
While some fans appreciate the variety and creativity that Nike's tenure has brought, others find it disorienting, especially when turning on a random NBA game. The absence of distinct home and away jerseys has led to a scramble in uniform choices, with teams now cycling through a set of four jerseys throughout the year. This shift has blurred the once-clear distinction between home and away teams, challenging the traditional aesthetic expectations of basketball fans.
The evolution of jersey aesthetics in the NBA reflects a broader trend in sports uniform design. Traditions like the home team wearing white jerseys have given way to teams embracing their official team colours, regardless of whether they are playing at home or away. This evolution has enhanced the visual experience for fans, offering a diverse range of jersey designs and colours that transcend the traditional home and away designations.
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Frequently asked questions
The jerseys of the losing team in a basketball tournament are usually returned to the manufacturer or retailer and, in some cases, donated to communities in third-world countries.
Yes, manufacturers and retailers produce and stock two sets of merchandise, declaring each team the winner.
The winning team's jerseys are usually kept and worn again, regardless of the outcome of the next game.
Traditionally, the home team wore white jerseys, but since 2017, when Nike took over the contract to produce NBA jerseys, the "City Edition" concept has been introduced, allowing teams to draw inspiration from their home cities or states rather than their team colours and logos.
