BROOKLYN (April 6, 2023) – The Brooklyn Nets have unveiled their 2023-24 Nike NBA City Edition Uniform, created with renowned Brooklyn-based artist KAWS. The uniform was designed as part of a two-year partnership between the Nets and the artist, making this the first-time KAWS has collaborated with a professional sports team.
The Nets’ newest City Edition uniform mixes authentic details and some of the most notable elements of KAWS’ work, including:
- Taking inspiration from KAWS’ 10-part artwork, "TENSION," the overall uniform design is evocative of the artist’s signature eye-catching abstract paintings, accented by a bold color palette
- KAWS’ signature “XX” design motif is prominently featured on the waistband of the shorts
- The NETS lettering across the chest of the jersey is inspired by the artist’s graphic style with the remixed Nets logo on the shorts given the same treatment
- KAWS’ autograph is woven into the jersey directly above the jock tag
As with all Nets uniforms, the jersey will feature the Webull patch on the top left chest.
“As a proud Brooklyn resident, I was thrilled when the Nets asked me to create a new uniform design,” said KAWS. “The history, community, and passion of this borough create an energy that inspires my studio practice, the players, and the fans. My design aims to capture the vibrancy that we experience daily when navigating Brooklyn.”
“The Brooklyn Nets brand transcends the court in many ways, and we are excited to partner with another Brooklyn icon, KAWS, to deepen our connection to the borough with this newest City Edition uniform,” said Andrew Karson, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing, Strategy and Solutions at BSE Global, parent company of the Nets. “Brooklyn is home to some of the world’s greatest creators across genres of culture including fashion and the arts, and we feel inspired to have the unique ability to marry basketball with the best of our borough. This collaboration continues our journey of partnering with local legends to share what makes Brooklyn so special with the world. KAWS has a longstanding history of creating in Brooklyn, and as a globally-renowned talent and one of the most in-demand artists of our time, he was our top choice to serve as our next City Edition partner. We look forward to working alongside him and identifying authentic opportunities to celebrate the culture and community of Brooklyn together in the years to come.”
KAWS is an artist who lives and works in Brooklyn. His work engages audiences beyond the museums and galleries in which he regularly exhibits. His prolific body of work straddles the worlds of art and design to include paintings, murals, graphic and product design, and large-scale sculptures. Over the last two decades KAWS has built a successful career with work that consistently shows his formal agility as an artist, as well as his underlying wit, irreverence, and affection for our times.
The Nets’ 2023-24 City Edition uniforms and merchandise collection will be available for purchase online at netsstore.com and in person at the Nets’ team store at Barclays Center, Brooklyn Fanatics, beginning this fall.