Excellent article, well written, and really informative. A pleasure reading. I would like to add that for the 2003- 2004 season and possibly the season before, Nike outfitted replica swingman jerseys for every team.
I have a question about the alternate Jerseys Nike made for the Chicago Bulls during the 97-98 season. There has been some question as to whether or not the Nike fit (dry fit) moisture control material was used or not as an alternative to the micro mesh material that was common at the time. Some say that the dry fit/Nike fit material was not used until the 1999 season, however this would exclude Michael Jordan from ever wearing a Nike fit Bulls jersey since his career with the Bulls ended in 1998. Do you have any information regarding the material used during this time frame (97-98)? If so, do you have any examples of Jordan wearing the Nike fit model that would be of solid material as opposed to mesh.
Thanks, Adam
Just wanted to hop in and say this is a great piece. Very informative. I was largely unaware of Sand-Knit and the visual links to old Sand Knit jerseys were great (though some of the links are now broken – it happens).
Either way, great job putting in the leg work here, I’ll be using this piece as a reference in the future.
The replica jerseys were 100% nylon. The authentics were 100% polyester mesh. Obviously there has been a lot of innovation over the past two decades in uniform construction and fabrics to help wick away sweat and provide greater comfort (i.e. Nike Dri-Fit). I doubt you could find that type of polyester mesh these days.
I have been getting a lot of jerseys and shorts from the sixers equipment manager. They are over the last 30 years. All jerseys are game worn or team issued blanks. When sorting through I came across a mid 80’s Julius Erving champion jersey. Sixers logo is down on but numbers in front and back are screened. Does anyone have any info on this jersey?
Champion didn’t produce any NBA jerseys prior to the 1990-1991 season. The Sixers wore MacGregor Sand-Knit from 1986-1987 through 1989-1990. And before that the Sixers’ uniforms were provided by Wilson. I had another visitor the the site who indicated that he to had acquired a mid-80s Champion Erving jersey and thought maybe it was a prototype, which could be a possibility. Champion may have sent samples to teams in order to gain some NBA business prior to the NBA signing an exclusive uniform deal with MacGregor Sand-Knit for the 1986-1987 season. But the fact that the jersey you have has a sewn on logo, but screens on numbers leads me to believe that someone took a 1990-1991 Sixers Champion blank authentic jersey and customized it on their own. Champion did produce the 80s style Sixers jersey for the 1990-1991 season before changing to the “falling star” design for the 1991-1992 season. Send me a photo if you have one, but just by the description it appears to be an after market customization and not authentic.
I recently bought a bunch of Jersey’s in an auction from a former equipment manager for the 76ers and one was a Julius Irving champion brand Jersey the champion logo matches to their logo from 86 could this be a prototype that was sent to the team?
Champion wasn’t involved in NBA uniforms prior to 1990-1991, and the Sixers were exclusively Macgregor Sand-Knit from 1986-1987 through 1989-1990. And prior to that their uniforms were provided by Wilson. There is a chance that prior to MacGregor Sand-Knit locking in the exclusive NBA uniform deal in 1986 that Champion attempted to pitch a prototype to the Sixers (and other teams) to try to break into the NBA, but I don’t have any knowledge of that.
Do you have a photo? I would be interested to see it. The only other Julius Erving Sixers Champion jerseys that exist are the 1996-1997 NBA at 50 “Classic Jerseys”. These would be a replica style and not authentic. In addition, Champion Europe produced a line of authentic Hardwood Classics jerseys around 2003. These would have sewn name/numbers and would be double-tagged with the Hardwood Classics tag next to the Champion jock tag (and since they are European issued, the size would be represented alphabetically and not numerically).
So I recently got a Champion Drexler rockets jersey and I’m trying to find out whether or not it’s authentic. Could you give me a few things to look for?
I just got a Larry Bird Sand Knit jersey from a thrift store in Hampden Md. It is not labeled MacGregor and has no NBA chest logo. These criteria would place it between 1979 and 1985 if my research is correct. Can you offer any info related to this?
The fact it doesn’t have the NBA logo means it’s definitely pre 1986-1987, since that was the first season that the logo was placed on uniforms. If it’s not labeled MacGregor but rather Medalist then that most likely means that it is pre 1984-1985 season. MacGregor bought Medalist Sand-Knit in March 1984, and they started incorporating their name on the jock tags immediately the next season 1984-1985. For instance, if you look at replica Sand Knit Michael Jordan Bulls rookie jerseys (with the “Chicago” script which he only wore during 1984-1985) they have Macgregor on the jock tag. HOWEVER, I have noticed that for Authentic jerseys during the 1984-1985 season (and even the 1985-1986 season) you will still see these with Medalist on the jock tag instead of MacGregor (Authentic jerseys are made of the mesh material and have the numerical size on the jock tag). Most likely MacGregor was utilizing old stock. So, assuming you picked up a replica Bird Celtics jersey that is screen-printed, it would most likely date pre 1984-1985 season. And based on my research it is probably 1982-1983 or 1983-1984…the earliest advertising for Medalist Sand-Knit replica jerseys I have been able to find is from the 1982-1983 season.
What a great article, takes me back in time. I love the Sand-knit NBA warm ups and had a question I’m sure you have the answer to. Did Sand-knit make warm ups for the public? The reason I ask is sometimes I’ll see a tag inside that says “Designed and tailored exclusively for Sacramento Kings” or whatever team it may be. On others I’ve seen, it will have the Sand-knit tag and size and then off to the right, it will have a tag that says “Product of the NBA” or something like that. No mention of the designed and tailored for. There are usually small number and year tags sewn near the Sand-knit tag. I recently bought a Houston Rockets warm up supposedly assigned to Richard Anderson and it had the small number and year tags, a Sand-knit tag but it didn’t have the designed and tailored for Houston Rockets tag. Does that mean it wasn’t actually game used? Or did some of the game used warm ups not have the designed and tailored tag on there? I wonder if the company was so overwhelmed, they started using replica warm ups to assign to players. I guess I should ask you if they were even able to produce replica warm ups. Any guidance you have would be greatly appreciated. Again, fantastic article.
Sand-Knit did produce replica (and authentic) warm-ups for retail. At some point I’ll publish some scans of old NBA merchandise catalogs I have from the 1980s.
I have an Atlanta Hawks warm up jacket / jersey labeled Sand Knit Mac Gregor Berlin, Wi. It has the official NBA logo on the chest. It is 100% nylon. Guessing it’s about 1986. Can you tell me anything about it?
awesome article! I am a huge fan of sand knit jerseys the look feel the old school have a few all-time favorites is my Stockton brand new road jersey one untouched thank you do you know of any collectors or suppliers looking to sell sand knit as I have a bunch in my collection.
When did sand knit start putting names on the back of their NBA jerseys, most sand knit replica NBA jerseys I see do not have the players name on the back but I do come across a few that do have the players name on the back?
I’m still sorting through some Sand Knit history, but I believe names were starting to be added for super stars in the 1987-1988 season, and by 1989-1990 all of there replicas had names on the back.
First of all, thank you for all of these wonderful articles! Your expertise is outstanding.
I was about to buy the official NBA catalog from 1987 but I think there is no more need. Through your articles and some research on my own, I think I got the information I wanted. I thought you may be interested in buying this catalog if you do not already have it.
Thanks for checking out the site, and for the heads up on the catalog. I already have the 1987 catalogs and one day will start posting content from the catalogs I do have. But I’m always on the lookout for 80s and 90s NBA catalogs.
Great article! I need some help authenticating an old Jordan Sand Knit. No NBA logo dates it pre 1986, but it also has medalist tagging, dating it before 1984/85. However this was before Jordan was drafted. In addition the Medalist text is printed in black, rather than white with black outline. Any info would be amazing!
This is a great question and a grey area I’ve been trying to figure out. I have to updated my Macgregor Sand-Knit research to indicate that they were actually producing replicas and authentics for all teams for the resale market starting in 1984-1985…although on the court they were only making uniforms for several teams and wouldn’t get the exclusive on-court license until 1986-1987 season. Keep in mind that MacGregor acquired the Sand-Knit brand from Medalist in March 1984 (end of the 1983-1984 season). So for Jordan’s rookie year in 1984-1985, Sand Knit was producing all the replica jerseys. The jersey you describe (with all black #23 on front and back…NOT outlined in white) is exactly what was sold in the 1984-1985 NBA merchandise catalog. But I have seen a mix of the Jordan rookie replica jerseys with both the MacGregor Sand Knit tags and Medalist Sand Knit tags. My assumption is that MacGregor was printing the jerseys on deadstock Medalist blank Bulls jerseys that they acquired in order to get rid of the inventory they acquired from Medalist, and eventually switched over to their tags when that inventory was depleted. So you the medalist version you have is legit.
Yep, its legit. Medalist produced all Sand-Knit jerseys prior to the 1984-1985 season. Medalist Sand-Knit became Macgregor Sand-Knit in 1984, and in 1986-1987 Macgregor Sand-Knit got the first exclusive NBA uniform history. So any Sand-Knit jersey prior to the 1984-1985 season will be a Medalist jersey and is in legit. You’ll see a lot of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Medalist jerseys (almost always without the name on the back, unless its authentic and not a replica). Hope that answers your question
MacGregor Sand-Knit made both replica shorts (approx $14 at the time) and authentic shorts (approx $65 at the time) for retail. They were mainly sold through the official NBA catalog via mail order.
So – I am trying to have vintage baseball jerseys recreated from the 1980s that were manufactured by Medalist San-Knit – for a championship season anniversary – they are based on the Houston Astros style – but a different color scheme. Is there anybody today – who took over that manufacturing – that would still be able to produced team wearable gear in that style. Who ended up with Medalist San-Knit — Champion?? Thanks!
Hi! I just picked up a pair of Lakers Sand-Knit Shorts with the ‘Designed & Tailored Exclusively for Los Angeles Lakers’ tag sewn in. Does this mean they were made for a player?
Thank you
Jared
The “Designed & Tailored Exclusively” was Sand-Knit’s version of a Champion Pro-Cut. Was made to player specs like they would wear on court, but wasn’t worn by the players or team issued.
Excellent article, well written, and really informative. A pleasure reading. I would like to add that for the 2003- 2004 season and possibly the season before, Nike outfitted replica swingman jerseys for every team.
I have a question about the alternate Jerseys Nike made for the Chicago Bulls during the 97-98 season. There has been some question as to whether or not the Nike fit (dry fit) moisture control material was used or not as an alternative to the micro mesh material that was common at the time. Some say that the dry fit/Nike fit material was not used until the 1999 season, however this would exclude Michael Jordan from ever wearing a Nike fit Bulls jersey since his career with the Bulls ended in 1998. Do you have any information regarding the material used during this time frame (97-98)? If so, do you have any examples of Jordan wearing the Nike fit model that would be of solid material as opposed to mesh.
Thanks, Adam
Thanks for checking out the site. Unfortunately my expertise is limited to Champion, so I don’t have an answer to this question.
Just wanted to hop in and say this is a great piece. Very informative. I was largely unaware of Sand-Knit and the visual links to old Sand Knit jerseys were great (though some of the links are now broken – it happens).
Either way, great job putting in the leg work here, I’ll be using this piece as a reference in the future.
Wow! What a coincidence I ran into this article and it is current.
Well first of all I’d like to thank the author for this great write up, it was very informative.
I am really needing your help identifying the material champion used for their early 90’s Authentic NBA jerseys.
As a kid during the 90’s I could only afford the replica NBA jerseys that feel soft.
However, I can never forget the hardness of the authentic jerseys material.
I’m wanting to know where I can purchase that material because everywhere I have checked, I am only able to find that soft kersey material.
The replica jerseys were 100% nylon. The authentics were 100% polyester mesh. Obviously there has been a lot of innovation over the past two decades in uniform construction and fabrics to help wick away sweat and provide greater comfort (i.e. Nike Dri-Fit). I doubt you could find that type of polyester mesh these days.
I have been getting a lot of jerseys and shorts from the sixers equipment manager. They are over the last 30 years. All jerseys are game worn or team issued blanks. When sorting through I came across a mid 80’s Julius Erving champion jersey. Sixers logo is down on but numbers in front and back are screened. Does anyone have any info on this jersey?
Champion didn’t produce any NBA jerseys prior to the 1990-1991 season. The Sixers wore MacGregor Sand-Knit from 1986-1987 through 1989-1990. And before that the Sixers’ uniforms were provided by Wilson. I had another visitor the the site who indicated that he to had acquired a mid-80s Champion Erving jersey and thought maybe it was a prototype, which could be a possibility. Champion may have sent samples to teams in order to gain some NBA business prior to the NBA signing an exclusive uniform deal with MacGregor Sand-Knit for the 1986-1987 season. But the fact that the jersey you have has a sewn on logo, but screens on numbers leads me to believe that someone took a 1990-1991 Sixers Champion blank authentic jersey and customized it on their own. Champion did produce the 80s style Sixers jersey for the 1990-1991 season before changing to the “falling star” design for the 1991-1992 season. Send me a photo if you have one, but just by the description it appears to be an after market customization and not authentic.
I recently bought a bunch of Jersey’s in an auction from a former equipment manager for the 76ers and one was a Julius Irving champion brand Jersey the champion logo matches to their logo from 86 could this be a prototype that was sent to the team?
Champion wasn’t involved in NBA uniforms prior to 1990-1991, and the Sixers were exclusively Macgregor Sand-Knit from 1986-1987 through 1989-1990. And prior to that their uniforms were provided by Wilson. There is a chance that prior to MacGregor Sand-Knit locking in the exclusive NBA uniform deal in 1986 that Champion attempted to pitch a prototype to the Sixers (and other teams) to try to break into the NBA, but I don’t have any knowledge of that.
Do you have a photo? I would be interested to see it. The only other Julius Erving Sixers Champion jerseys that exist are the 1996-1997 NBA at 50 “Classic Jerseys”. These would be a replica style and not authentic. In addition, Champion Europe produced a line of authentic Hardwood Classics jerseys around 2003. These would have sewn name/numbers and would be double-tagged with the Hardwood Classics tag next to the Champion jock tag (and since they are European issued, the size would be represented alphabetically and not numerically).
So I recently got a Champion Drexler rockets jersey and I’m trying to find out whether or not it’s authentic. Could you give me a few things to look for?
Let me know what version you have and I can give you some pointers. thanks!
I just got a Larry Bird Sand Knit jersey from a thrift store in Hampden Md. It is not labeled MacGregor and has no NBA chest logo. These criteria would place it between 1979 and 1985 if my research is correct. Can you offer any info related to this?
The fact it doesn’t have the NBA logo means it’s definitely pre 1986-1987, since that was the first season that the logo was placed on uniforms. If it’s not labeled MacGregor but rather Medalist then that most likely means that it is pre 1984-1985 season. MacGregor bought Medalist Sand-Knit in March 1984, and they started incorporating their name on the jock tags immediately the next season 1984-1985. For instance, if you look at replica Sand Knit Michael Jordan Bulls rookie jerseys (with the “Chicago” script which he only wore during 1984-1985) they have Macgregor on the jock tag. HOWEVER, I have noticed that for Authentic jerseys during the 1984-1985 season (and even the 1985-1986 season) you will still see these with Medalist on the jock tag instead of MacGregor (Authentic jerseys are made of the mesh material and have the numerical size on the jock tag). Most likely MacGregor was utilizing old stock. So, assuming you picked up a replica Bird Celtics jersey that is screen-printed, it would most likely date pre 1984-1985 season. And based on my research it is probably 1982-1983 or 1983-1984…the earliest advertising for Medalist Sand-Knit replica jerseys I have been able to find is from the 1982-1983 season.
What a great article, takes me back in time. I love the Sand-knit NBA warm ups and had a question I’m sure you have the answer to. Did Sand-knit make warm ups for the public? The reason I ask is sometimes I’ll see a tag inside that says “Designed and tailored exclusively for Sacramento Kings” or whatever team it may be. On others I’ve seen, it will have the Sand-knit tag and size and then off to the right, it will have a tag that says “Product of the NBA” or something like that. No mention of the designed and tailored for. There are usually small number and year tags sewn near the Sand-knit tag. I recently bought a Houston Rockets warm up supposedly assigned to Richard Anderson and it had the small number and year tags, a Sand-knit tag but it didn’t have the designed and tailored for Houston Rockets tag. Does that mean it wasn’t actually game used? Or did some of the game used warm ups not have the designed and tailored tag on there? I wonder if the company was so overwhelmed, they started using replica warm ups to assign to players. I guess I should ask you if they were even able to produce replica warm ups. Any guidance you have would be greatly appreciated. Again, fantastic article.
Sand-Knit did produce replica (and authentic) warm-ups for retail. At some point I’ll publish some scans of old NBA merchandise catalogs I have from the 1980s.
I have an Atlanta Hawks warm up jacket / jersey labeled Sand Knit Mac Gregor Berlin, Wi. It has the official NBA logo on the chest. It is 100% nylon. Guessing it’s about 1986. Can you tell me anything about it?
awesome article! I am a huge fan of sand knit jerseys the look feel the old school have a few all-time favorites is my Stockton brand new road jersey one untouched thank you do you know of any collectors or suppliers looking to sell sand knit as I have a bunch in my collection.
When did sand knit start putting names on the back of their NBA jerseys, most sand knit replica NBA jerseys I see do not have the players name on the back but I do come across a few that do have the players name on the back?
I’m still sorting through some Sand Knit history, but I believe names were starting to be added for super stars in the 1987-1988 season, and by 1989-1990 all of there replicas had names on the back.
First of all, thank you for all of these wonderful articles! Your expertise is outstanding.
I was about to buy the official NBA catalog from 1987 but I think there is no more need. Through your articles and some research on my own, I think I got the information I wanted. I thought you may be interested in buying this catalog if you do not already have it.
Thanks for checking out the site, and for the heads up on the catalog. I already have the 1987 catalogs and one day will start posting content from the catalogs I do have. But I’m always on the lookout for 80s and 90s NBA catalogs.
Great article! I need some help authenticating an old Jordan Sand Knit. No NBA logo dates it pre 1986, but it also has medalist tagging, dating it before 1984/85. However this was before Jordan was drafted. In addition the Medalist text is printed in black, rather than white with black outline. Any info would be amazing!
This is a great question and a grey area I’ve been trying to figure out. I have to updated my Macgregor Sand-Knit research to indicate that they were actually producing replicas and authentics for all teams for the resale market starting in 1984-1985…although on the court they were only making uniforms for several teams and wouldn’t get the exclusive on-court license until 1986-1987 season. Keep in mind that MacGregor acquired the Sand-Knit brand from Medalist in March 1984 (end of the 1983-1984 season). So for Jordan’s rookie year in 1984-1985, Sand Knit was producing all the replica jerseys. The jersey you describe (with all black #23 on front and back…NOT outlined in white) is exactly what was sold in the 1984-1985 NBA merchandise catalog. But I have seen a mix of the Jordan rookie replica jerseys with both the MacGregor Sand Knit tags and Medalist Sand Knit tags. My assumption is that MacGregor was printing the jerseys on deadstock Medalist blank Bulls jerseys that they acquired in order to get rid of the inventory they acquired from Medalist, and eventually switched over to their tags when that inventory was depleted. So you the medalist version you have is legit.
Hey, I have a Magic Johnson jersey that has medalist sand knit on the tag. Do you think it
Yep, its legit. Medalist produced all Sand-Knit jerseys prior to the 1984-1985 season. Medalist Sand-Knit became Macgregor Sand-Knit in 1984, and in 1986-1987 Macgregor Sand-Knit got the first exclusive NBA uniform history. So any Sand-Knit jersey prior to the 1984-1985 season will be a Medalist jersey and is in legit. You’ll see a lot of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Medalist jerseys (almost always without the name on the back, unless its authentic and not a replica). Hope that answers your question
Wondering if you know where to find any Rawlings or Macgregor Sand-Knit Chicago Bulls shorts?
Do you if these were sold commercially, or just made for the team itself?
Thanks!
MacGregor Sand-Knit made both replica shorts (approx $14 at the time) and authentic shorts (approx $65 at the time) for retail. They were mainly sold through the official NBA catalog via mail order.
So – I am trying to have vintage baseball jerseys recreated from the 1980s that were manufactured by Medalist San-Knit – for a championship season anniversary – they are based on the Houston Astros style – but a different color scheme. Is there anybody today – who took over that manufacturing – that would still be able to produced team wearable gear in that style. Who ended up with Medalist San-Knit — Champion?? Thanks!
Hi! I just picked up a pair of Lakers Sand-Knit Shorts with the ‘Designed & Tailored Exclusively for Los Angeles Lakers’ tag sewn in. Does this mean they were made for a player?
Thank you
Jared
The “Designed & Tailored Exclusively” was Sand-Knit’s version of a Champion Pro-Cut. Was made to player specs like they would wear on court, but wasn’t worn by the players or team issued.