On Monday March 7th, Nike released a few teaser images across their social media platforms.
For those not in the know, this is a first look at new kits for AFC Richmond, the team in Apple TV+’s hit Ted Lasso. This is big news as it means Nike is signed on to design kits for a fictional team, and based on the images posted, are set to knock it out of the park. This got me thinking about my favorite uniforms from fictional teams across all sports. And since I’ve already ranked some other styles recently, let’s get into it.
Honorable Mentions
These teams JUST missed the cut
- Miami Sharks (Any Given Sunday)
- The Bears (Bad News Bears)
- Average Joe’s Gym (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story)
No. 5: The Tune Squad (Space Jam)
I didn’t hate the LeBron movie. I DID hate the uniforms in it. And that’s because the OG’s are perfect. Simple. The homage to the Merrie Melodies logo was expertly done. And for this kid from Detroit, this was IS the only Michael Jordan jersey worth having.
No. 4: Dillon Panthers (Friday Night Lights)
This is the high school football jersey that you wish your school had. That shade of blue. The white striping. Riggins’ hair (okay, that’s not actually part of the uniform). It was a bold move taking a movie based on a book based on true events and fictionalizing it for the small screen. But boy is it a good thing they did. Say it with me now: Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can’t Lose. Just like these uniforms can’t lose.
No. 3: Flint Tropics (Semi-Pro)
Not only did Jackie Moon and Coffee Black execute the first ever alley-oop after Jackie’s mom invented it from heaven, but they looked damn good doing it. The juxtaposition of Miami colors on a team from Flint, Michigan is comedic gold, and the 70’s ABA styling is timeless. Just look at that video above of Will Ferrell STILL looking good in the uniform last week.
No. 2: The Mighty Ducks (The Mighty Ducks)
Honestly, this is more like 1B to the pick below’s 1A. And I think nostalgia is wanting me to make this 1A, and therefore I’m ranking it 2 (I don’t understand it either but just go with it.) I also couldn’t decide if I wanted to go with these or the white jerseys they wear at the end of D2. Though… those eventually became REAL jerseys (thanks weird 90s trend of Disney owning sports teams). Don’t lie, you’ve always wanted a Ducks sweater. You could argue if you wanted Conway, Banks, Reed, or Goldberg’s name on the back, but you know deep down that it doesn’t matter who, because Ducks Fly Together.
No. 1: New York Knights (The Natural)
This is quite possibly the best baseball movie uniform of all time. Which is truly saying something, because of the top 20 baseball movies, only this and The Bad News Bears feature fictional teams. These uniforms are so good, Ebbets Field, a retailer who specializes in classic and vintage baseball jerseys, makes a replica of these. MLB, if it ever gets around to actually playing games and having fun again, needs to stage a The Natural game soon like they did for Field of Dreams just so we can see these beautiful jerseys on the field for real.
