The NBA’s Christmas Day games have long been a cherished tradition for fans and players alike, but a notable absence has emerged in recent years: the special Christmas jerseys. Since Nike took over the NBA’s uniform contract from Adidas in 2017, the festive jerseys that once adorned players during the holiday season have not returned, leaving many to wonder what happened to this beloved tradition.
Nike has introduced a variety of uniform combinations through its four primary jersey lines: Association, Icon, City, and Statement. Despite these options, the lack of Christmas-themed attire has disappointed both fans and players who fondly recall the festive designs. Last year, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James voiced his disappointment, stating, “Not having Xmas day unis anymore really sucks! That was a great feeling walking into the locker room and seeing those. It was literally like receiving a 🎁!” His sentiments reflect a broader nostalgia for the seasonal looks that have now faded from the NBA landscape.
Despite the outcry from notable players like James, Nike has no plans to reinstate the festive jerseys. In a statement made in 2021, a Nike representative emphasized their satisfaction with the current assortment and the storytelling potential it offers, saying, “We like the assortment we have now. The storytelling we’re able to tell is really robust,” according to sports journalist Nick DePaula.
A Look Back at NBA’s Christmas Jerseys
The history of the NBA Christmas jerseys dates back to 2008, when the league introduced a snowflake design around the logo. This concept aimed to celebrate the holiday spirit, with teams featuring traditional red and green colors.
In 2012, the NBA marked the 65th anniversary of Christmas Day games by adopting a bold monochromatic color scheme. The following year, 2013, saw the introduction of a large, centered logo, which was intended to be the focal point of the jersey. However, the design drew mixed reviews, particularly from players like Dirk Nowitzki, a legend of the Dallas Mavericks, who stated, “Call me old school, but these jerseys with sleeves are awful.”
The 2014 edition shifted focus to the back of the jersey, featuring players’ first names prominently below their numbers. The following year, the jerseys were inspired by holiday greeting cards, incorporating festive script and cursive lettering. Many fans regarded the 2015 design as the most successful of the series. The festive font made a return in 2016, marking the final appearance of Christmas jerseys in the NBA.
While Nike continues to innovate with its jersey designs, the absence of the Christmas jerseys remains a point of contention among players and fans. As the NBA Christmas Day games approach once again, the memory of those unique uniforms lingers, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a time when the league celebrated the holiday season in a distinctly festive style.
