The absence of the cherished Christmas jerseys, a tradition that started in 2008 where these festive uniforms added an extra layer of excitement to the holiday games, has been felt lately by fans and even stars of the sport.
However, the tradition took an unexpected hiatus when Nike took over the NBA’s jersey contract from Adidas in 2017, discontinuing the beloved Christmas threads. Fans have since missed the festive colors during this special time of the year, something even LeBron James advocated to bring back in the NBA.
Why did the NBA stop making Christmas Day jerseys?
The cherished Christmas Day jerseys took an unexpected hiatus when Nike assumed the mantle of the league’s official outfitter in the 2017-18 season.
The festive looks, a hallmark since 2008, disappeared, leaving fans and players longing for the Yuletide attire that once added a touch of holiday magic to the courts.
Regrettably, for those seeking an explanation, there seems to be no discernible reason behind Nike discontinuing this festive tradition.
It’s plausible that the company deemed it unwarranted to invest time and resources in crafting a complete uniform for a singular game.
Alternatively, Nike might have been inclined to establish its unique legacy rather than adhering to Adidas’ established Christmas tradition.
LeBron James wants NBA Christmas Day jerseys back
In the fervor of the holiday season, a sentiment echoed not just by fans but by none other than LeBron James himself is the resounding call for the revival of NBA Christmas Day jerseys.
As the Christmas Eve dawned, LeBron James, in a playful yet assertive tweet, questioned the absence of these iconic jerseys and championed for their reinstatement, adding his influential voice to the collective plea for the revival of this cherished tradition.
“This was amazing!! 💨💨💨💨🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾. I do wish we had Xmas day uniforms across the league still. Wonder why it stopped. 🤷🏾♂️”, he wrote.
This was amazing!! 💨💨💨💨🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾. I do wish we had Xmas day uniforms across the league still. Wonder why it stopped. 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/A73AF7Dnn0
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 24, 2023
The Lakers, fueled by LeBron James’ passion, have spearheaded a campaign to bring back the Christmas jerseys, amplifying the call for Nike to reconsider its stance.
As the NBA community unites in its desire to revive this special tradition, the question lingers in the air: Will the league and Nike heed the rallying cry and bring back the magic of Christmas Day uniforms?
Would you like to have the Christmas special jersey editions back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
