EDITOR’S NOTE

So, this is how I fell in love with the WNBA.

Twelve years ago, I was grinding it out as a culture columnist at the Chicago Tribune, covering everything from music to sports. That summer, I started watching Sky games and got super into them. So much, in fact, that I wrote a passionate piece about why the WNBA and its players deserve way more respect than they get.

To put my money where my mouth was (and to prove that your average dude wouldn't last 10 seconds against these athletes), I volunteered to get absolutely cooked on camera by legends Elena Delle Donne and Epiphanny Prince.

Give it a watch. Spoiler alert: It went exactly how you'd expect.

That day got me thinking about something most modern fans don't know: when the WNBA launched in '97, they didn't just create teams - they created an entire visual identity. Those first eight jerseys were carefully designed to tell a story, build legitimacy, and give these pioneering athletes uniforms actually made for their bodies. Today's issue breaks down how those original jerseys helped establish the W's DNA, and why they're still some of the most sought-after grails in vintage sportswear.

Now, if you need me, I’ll be prepping for my fantasy draft.

As always, let's have some fun out there.

HOMEFIELD HEATER OF THE WEEK

Before they were WNBA icons, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi were part of what might be the most stacked college roster ever. Bird, Swin Cash, Asjha Jones, Taurasi, and Tamika Williams didn't just win - they went 39-0 with a national championship on top.

The good folks at Homefield absolutely nailed this tribute to basketball royalty. The fabric feels like those coveted old-school Champion jerseys, but with modern comfort that makes it wearable anywhere. Fair warning: you might find yourself explaining UConn's perfect season to random people at the grocery store.

Want in? Use code GRAILS15 for 15% off your first Homefield order. Get it here.

VINTAGE WNBA JERSEYS = WORKS OF ART

Before the WNBA had broadcast deals, signature sneakers, or record-breaking playoff ratings... it had jerseys.

But first, it didn't even have those.

In those early promo shoots in 1997, the league's stars were wearing basic mesh reversibles with just "WNBA" printed on them.

Launched in 1997, the WNBA wasn't trying to mimic the NBA - it was building something new. From the logos to the uniforms, every piece of the league's visual identity had to speak louder than the budget behind it. Because the league knew it was fighting for attention in a crowded sports landscape—and doing it as the underdog.

What happened next is a fascinating piece of sports design history (captured perfectly in ESPN's mini-documentary on the league's visual evolution). The WNBA brought in then-NBA creative director Tom O'Grady and did something unprecedented: they invited the players themselves to be design consultants.

In an era when women athletes were usually handed men's gear in smaller sizes, founding stars like Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, and Sheryl Swoopes demanded better. They tested fits, suggested edits, and helped create uniforms that actually worked for women's bodies.

Then there was the shine. That distinctive shimmer in the fabric wasn't just fashion - it was cultural timing. The same dazzle knit that would later define Iverson's Sixers and Melo's Nuggets and a not-small amount of Y2K fashion made these jerseys pop under arena lights.

By the early 2000s, the WNBA had cycled through uniform providers—from Champion and eventually to Adidas and Nike. But none hit quite like the OGs. Those first jerseys were loud, a little baggy, and perfectly of their time. That's exactly why they've aged into grails.

Today, those 90s and early 2000s jerseys sit in a rare space—between vintage sportswear, cultural artifact, and fashion flex. They're worn courtside, pop up on your timeline, and command serious prices on resale sites. Mitchell & Ness and Nike have dropped official throwbacks because the demand won't quit.

So why does a nearly 30-year-old jersey still feel this fresh?

Because it came from a league that had to make a statement with every stitch. Because it was designed with the players, not just for them. Because it reflected a generation of athletes who weren't just playing basketball - they were changing what was possible.

When you rock a vintage WNBA jersey today, you're wearing more than fabric. These jerseys were the first megaphone. And they're still some of the loudest in the game.

So if you've got one? Wear it proudly, so we know you're one of us.

And if you're hunting one down? We’ve got you covered.

WHERE TO FIND OG W JERSEYS

Let's talk real numbers: Just 3 years ago, you could regularly find original Champion WNBA jerseys for $10-30 a pop on eBay. We know because we built one of the largest vintage W collections doing exactly that. Back then, most sellers didn't recognize what they had, and the serious collectors were either hoarding or not paying attention.

That world is gone.

Post-Caitlin Clark’s ascendance into the league and the explosive growth of women's basketball overall this decade, those same jerseys are now commanding $200+ without breaking a sweat. Game-worn pieces from the Comets dynasty that used to surface for $100? Don't even ask.

Your best shot at finding one without breaking the bank:

• Set eBay/Depop alerts and be ready to move fast. Also: MERCARI. IYKYK.

• Follow vintage dealers in cities with current/former WNBA teams. You might come across one or two who might not know what they're sitting on

• Seek out vintage sportswear sickos who will curate links for you (ahem!)

Trust us: That price tag that seems crazy today? Might look like a bargain very soon.

ICYMI

gamedaygrails

7,954 followers

View more on Instagram

Took a trip back to the motherland last weekend and made our way through some of the best-curated vintage sportswear spots in Chicago.

We're thinking of turning these shop tours into detailed city guides for paid subscribers - think expanded versions of these where we drop the exact spots you need to hit for elite-level vintage sportswear.

Hit the comment button if you want in on these city guides when we launch paid subscriptions. And tell us which city you want us to map first.

FROM THE VAULT

Let’s Connect!

Follow us for daily inspiration and deep dives: @GamedayGrails

Do you own a vintage-inspired sportswear brand we should be aware of? Reach out.

Have feedback, ideas or want to collab? Email [email protected] with any ideas, we’re usually down to clown.

Thank you for being part of the Gameday Grails family.