when Nike takes over da NBA license, bye replicas in stores.

ninjahood

ninjahood

70,049
24,221
Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Buying an NBA Jersey in a Store Is About to Get More Expensive
Beginning with the 2017-2018 season, so-called replica jerseys will only be sold on the league’s website and by online retailer Fanatics
A detail shot of a jersey worn by Cleveland Cavaliers #23 LeBron James. The NBA’s lowest-priced jerseys will only be sold online starting next season.
A detail shot of a jersey worn by Cleveland Cavaliers #23 LeBron James. The NBA’s lowest-priced jerseys will only be sold online starting next season. PHOTO: RONALD MARTINEZ/GETTY IMAGES
By Sara Germano
Jan. 16, 2017 6:03 a.m. ET
9 COMMENTS
The National Basketball Association will cease distributing its lowest-priced jerseys to sporting-goods chains beginning next season, the latest shift as sportswear makers aim to sell directly to consumers.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 season, so-called replica NBA jerseys will only be sold on the league’s website and by online retailer Fanatics, which will manufacture the jerseys. Higher-priced jerseys, similar to those worn on-court by players, will be manufactured by Nike Inc. and sold through its retail partners.

Major sports leagues offer different versions of jerseys, ranging from expensive “authentic” ones that are most similar to those worn by players, to replicas, which are typically screen-printed on different fabrics. The NBA also sells midprice “swingman” jerseys, which have most of the same features as player kits but with more simplified stitching.


Replica NBA jerseys currently made by Adidas AG ADDYY -1.39% cost about $70, while swingman jerseys are priced at $110, and the on-court jerseys fetch $300. The NBA said pricing under the new arrangement hasn’t been finalized. Industry trackers say replica jerseys account for the bulk of sales at sporting-good stores.

Nike, meanwhile, is expected to present its initial NBA jersey designs to retailers beginning this week . The company said it doesn’t plan to produce sleeved jerseys, a style debuted by Adidas in 2013 that received mixed reviews from players and fans.

HOW THE NBA DEFINES AUTHENTIC

Authentic:

“The authentic jersey features the same fabrications and embellishments worn by players on-court but offered in regular apparel sizing.”

Current retail price: $300

2016/17 Manufacturer: Adidas

2017/18 Manufacturer: Nike

Swingman:

“The swingman jersey includes nearly all of the same visuals as an authentic jersey but integrates a consistent performance mesh fabrication and one layer twill wordmark, name and number applications.”

Current retail price: $110

2016/17 Manufacturer: Adidas

2017/18 Manufacturer: Nike

Replica:

“The replica jersey is a screen-printed derivation of the jersey that highlights basic inserts and design elements.”

Current retail price: $70

2016/17 Manufacturer: Adidas

2017/18 Manufacturer: Fanatics

Source: The NBA

The league’s decision to sell replica jerseys solely through Fanatics poses another challenge for traditional brick-and-mortar sporting-goods retailers. ****’s Sporting Goods Inc., DKS -4.24% the industry leader, has moved to expand its apparel assortment amid declines in sales of sports equipment. ****’s didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The majority of revenue from licensed sports apparel sold at sporting-goods chains, which totaled about $500 million last year, comes from replica jerseys, according to Neil Schwartz, a vice president at industry tracker SportsOneSource.


Mr. Schwartz said modern-day free agency, which allows prominent players to switch teams during their careers, has diminished demand for pricey on-court jerseys. “If there’s a possibility you might have to buy a new one in a year, I might be a little hesitant to buy a $300, $400 jersey,” he said.

Sal LaRocca, president of global partnerships at the NBA, said the league’s own data, supplied by current jersey manufacturer Adidas, indicated that swingman jerseys tend to sell better than replicas.

Mr. LaRocca said the league’s new distribution model takes into account the rapidly changing consumer demand for jerseys. In the past, he said, “in order for the retailer to keep up with a spike in demand, you’d have to hope the retailer has enough in supply, hope the manufacturer has enough spare parts to assemble the jersey. We didn’t think that hope was a good strategy coming forward.”

As part of the deal, Fanatics will make and distribute all NBA replica jerseys, as well as those for the WNBA and the NBA Development League. The company also operates the league’s e-commerce site, NBAStore.com.

Fanatics recently signed similar replica-jersey deals with the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball, which will begin with the 2017-2018 and 2020 seasons, respectively. Under the MLB deal, Under Armour Inc. UAA -1.95% will make on-field uniforms, while Fanatics will make and distribute all licensed jerseys sold to fans.
Click to expand...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/buying...ore-is-about-to-get-more-expensive-1484564581
 
Meh.

If you're that much of a sports fan to don a Jersey, you'll pony up the dough.

And parents will still buy for their kids so nbd
 
current authentic jerseys cost toooo much.

if you're wondering why batting practice jerseys have been so successful, da MSRP being $80 and actually being authentic doesn't hurt at all.

why pay more for a swing man @ $110?
 
Didn't know current authentics were basically the same price as M&N :wow:

What a time to be alive
 
Frank Mucus said:
Didn't know current authentics were basically the same price as M&N :wow:

What a time to be alive
Click to expand...

its ridiculous.

but i remember when M&N used to overprice their jerseys back in da OG era.

that Nets petrovic Jersey​ used to be $450.
 
Ive always wondered...what is the opinion of a swingman jersey amongst jersey connoisseurs??
 
I'm 31, I think I'm pass the jersey stage in my life. Maybe this is good info for when I have/get a kid
 
Last edited:
sckid20 said:
what is the opinion of a swingman jersey amongst jersey connoisseurs??
Click to expand...

XwEQ7H.gif
 
this seems like a bad idea for business. to be clear, is nike still making everything or the swingmans and replicas will now be fanatics branded?
 
ahat20 said:
Pretty much.


Not a fan of swingman myself but i could careless what others buy and wear.
Click to expand...

I hear ya, I have no issues with them and own a few Nike ones from back in the day. The Adidas ones are horrible to me, but I had to grab that ASG Payton unfortunately.
 
There's no demand for NBA jerseys like it was for the NFL when Nike took over. They stand to lose making apparel for the entire league. It's ****** for the fans, but it is what it is. Same reason why adidas is only doing authentic NHL jerseys and Fanatics the replicas which already cost too much. Surprised the NBA let Nike get away with this seeing how they didn't get the contract before because they wouldn't outfit and supply every NBA market.
 
Im not really a jersey guy but for some reason it makes a big difference to me if that swoosh is on it.

I would be more inclined to buy.

Would even go as far as to say that it feels different lol

Prolly all mental. I hope nike makes nice jerseys tho.....
 
rillo561 said:
I hear ya, I have no issues with them and own a few Nike ones from back in the day. The Adidas ones are horrible to me, but I had to grab that ASG Payton unfortunately.
Click to expand...


Word, i had a couple back in the day as well (when i couldn't afford authentics :lol:). Always wanted authentics tho so once i got older and had paper to spend like that i started copping them.
 
man remember when swingmans were like $75?

i own 1 basketball jersey tho, china rep :lol:
 
Last edited:
all I'm seeing here is that the swingmans and authentics are harder to sell so they're positioning them into the forefront

forcing mothers who don't know any better to buy their kid a more expensive jersey that they'll trash anyway

cool
 
sckid20 said:
Ive always wondered...what is the opinion of a swingman jersey amongst jersey connoisseurs??
Click to expand...

To me, wearing a swingman jersey is like wearing a pair of fake kicks from the barber shop. They have always been cringe worthy to me. Shrug.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

frenchbreadbuilds
atmos Will To Close Its US Stores And Website To Focus On Japan/Asia Business
Replies
16
Views
2K
Beruseruku Desu
Beruseruku Desu

The ultimate sneaker enthusiast community.

NikeTalk was created as a way of giving back to both the sneaker enthusiast community and to the greater global community of which we are all a part.

NikeTalk is NOT affiliated with Nike Inc. in any way, shape, or form. All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Nike, Inc.

© 1999-2024 NikeTalk.com

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom