Are the 76ers’ iconic black jerseys making a return?
Twitter was in a frenzy this morning when the creator of the 76ers’ iconic black uniforms posted a cryptic tweet regarding the throwback design.
Some took it as the black jerseys potentially returning, but I don’t think that’s the case.
Former 76ers President Chris Heck made it very clear he disliked the Allen Iverson-era design, going on the record several times.
Chris Heck in 2021
“And so the two of them grew up in the era of Allen Iverson and the black uniforms. And I hated that uniform. Absolutely despised it. And the reason is that it wasn’t traditional. It was that ridiculous silk, the ridiculous larger collar.
So that was the gist of it — they wanted the Iverson throwback, and I said, “No, we’re not doing it. I think they sold out with that uniform. I think they were wrong to the brand, and come hell or high water, we’re not going back to that uniform.”
Heck did depart the franchise a few weeks ago, but that doesn’t change anything for the near future. Nike always wants their jerseys complete roughly two seasons in advance, something Heck mentioned in that article above.
So based on that, nothing seems to be in the pipeline. However, a massive leak of next season’s alternate uniforms leaked, and the 76ers were part of it. The Sixers’ City Uniform leaked, which is similar to the 70s throwbacks from 2019/2020.
Alongside that, the season’s throwbacks were leaked, and the 76ers once again weren’t listed. Philadelphia is due for a new statement uniform, with Nike’s original plan being for teams to switch those every two seasons. The red Phila design has been used for two seasons, so that could be changed, but it wasn’t shown in the leaks.
There’s too much money to be made off the black jerseys, and I’m fully confident they’ll return as soon as they can around 2024, but don’t expect anything soon. There’s a chance Heck lied boldface to the entire city, but I doubt that’s the case.
Mandatory Credit: Fadeaway World
[…] has been a nostalgic push to bring the star-studded black jersey back as an alternate in recent months. They won’t be worn […]