COMPLEX: 120 Years and Counting: How Mitchell & Ness Is Making a Comeback

A throwback jersey represents many things. For some, it’s a way to honor legendary players from their favorite sports teams. For others, it’s a callback to hip-hop style in the 2000s, a reminder of the “Welcome to Atlanta (Remix)” video or Jay-Z’s Hard Knock Life tour. It can also simply be the statement piece of an outfit. In any case, it’s all about getting fresh. And no matter where your mind goes when you think of a throwback jersey, there is usually one other constant: It came from Mitchell & Ness.

Since cooling off after their heyday in the ’90s through the 2000s, throwback jerseys have been making a resurgence in the last few years. Rappers like Playboi Carti have piqued the youth’s interest by wearing classic NBA jerseys of Allen Iverson, Penny Hardaway, and Vince Carter. Renewed interest in vintage jerseys has also contributed to the boom, alongside popular brands like Cactus Plant Flea Market, House of Errors, and Diallo releasing new takes on jerseys in mesh and knit varieties. Mitchell & Ness hopes that it can take advantage of that momentum.

This year, Mitchell & Ness is celebrating its 120th anniversary. Its status in the world of jerseys has been cemented for years, thanks to its consistent output and commitment to high quality products. Now owned by Fanatics with minority-stake investors like Jay-Z and LeBron James, the brand is eager to expand its reach even further in the fashion realm.

“What does a core line of essentials mean, where somebody could come in every summer for Mitchell & Ness tees and in the fall for our hoodies,” says Mitchell and Ness CEO Eli Kumekpor, who has held the position since August 2023. “We want to serve all facets of life.”