What is a Swingman Jersey? (Defined; Examples)


If you are interested in NBA jerseys, you have probably encountered the term “swingman”. What is a Swingman Jersey?

A swingman jersey is a type of NBA fan replica jersey that does not have all the premium finishes of an authentic jersey, but still closely mimics the jerseys the players wear. This is what the Swingman jerseys look like at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).

If you are shopping for NBA jerseys, you have 5 different types to choose from. Quickly, here’s what you need to know:

  • Nike Swingman – This is Nike’s more affordable replica option. These are very popular among fans. Great option if you don’t want to pay up for the authentic jerseys. Slim fit, if you prefer baggy, I’d size up. Click here to view the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
  • Nike Authentic – These are the authentic jerseys. These jerseys have all the premium finishes, including stitched numbers and graphics. They have a slim fit, and you will need to size up if you prefer a baggy fit. Click here to view the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
  • Fanatics Fast Break Jersey – Another affordable replica jersey. It is made by Fanatics, not Nike. If you are operating on a tight budget, I suggest checking it out. This jersey has a true-to-size regular fit. Click here to view the Fanatics Fast Break jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
  • Mitchell & Ness Swingman – Mitchell & Ness makes classic throwback jerseys. The Swingman version is the more affordable option, but these jerseys still have awesome quality, including stitched graphics on most jerseys. This jersey is not as slim as the Nike jerseys. I recommend ordering your normal sizing. Click here to view the Mitchell & Ness Swingman throwback collection at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
  • Mitchell & Ness Authentic – These are also authentic jerseys, but Mitchell & Ness only makes throwback jerseys. If you want the authentic jersey of a current player, you will need to stick with the Nike Authentic jerseys we discussed earlier. These authentic throwbacks are some of the most coveted fan jerseys. Click here to view the Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).

Swingman jerseys are not specific to a single brand. For example, there are both Nike Swingman NBA jerseys and Mitchell & Ness Swingman NBA jerseys.

I own both a Nike Swingman jersey and a Mitchell & Ness Swingman jersey:

what-is-a-swingman-jersey

In this article I will use photos of my swingman jerseys to discuss the following topics:

  • What is a Swingman jersey?
  • Types of Swingman jerseys
  • Features of Nike Swingman jerseys
  • Features of Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys

What is a Swingman Jersey?

Swingman jerseys are one of the most popular types of NBA fan jerseys. Let’s define what they are (and what they are not), and dive into specific types of Swingman jerseys.

Swingman Jersey Definition

A swingman jersey is a type of NBA fan replica jersey that does not have all the premium finishes of an authentic jersey, but still closely mimics the jerseys the players wear.

Think of it this way, an Authentic NBA jersey is the most premium jersey you can own. It has all the exact specifications that a player’s on-court jersey has. But with all those custom finishes, comes a more expensive price point.

The Swingman jerseys offer fans a more affordable alternative that does not have all the exact specifications of the players’ jerseys, but still does closely mimic them in appearance.

By having multiple price tiers, it is easier for fans to find a jersey that makes sense and matches their budget. The Swingman jerseys are still very nice jerseys, but just do not expect them to be exact replicas of what the players wear during the game (but they will still be close).


Types of Swingman Jerseys

As we discussed above, the Swingman jersey is not specific to a single brand, just like Authentic jerseys are not specific to a certain brand. Both Nike and Mitchell & Ness make Swingman jerseys.

Nike itself also has several different editions of its Swingman jerseys, for example: Icon Edition, City Edition, Music Edition, Association Edition, Statement Edition etc.

These different editions are just alternate style and design options for fans to choose from. This is where you can browse the Nike Swingman editions at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).

In the sections below we will discuss the Nike Swingman and the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys individually, including pictures of the jerseys that I own so that you have a better understanding of what they offer.


What are Nike Swingman Jerseys?

Nike Swingman jerseys are the tier of jerseys that Nike offers that are not engineered with the exact specifications of what the players wear. That means that although the Nike Swingman jerseys are still quality jerseys, and look very similar to the players’ jerseys, they do not have all the premium finishes.

But because the Nike Swingman jerseys do not have all the premium finishes, they have a more affordable price point than the Nike Authentic jerseys.

  • This is the current price of the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). NBAStore.com is the official online shop of the NBA, so you can buy from them with confidence knowing you are not getting scammed.

I own and review all the different types of NBA fan jerseys (Nike, Mitchell & Ness, Fanatics), and the Nike Swingman jerseys are my top choice for best fan jersey when you factor in quality, style, and price.

Just because the Nike Swingman jerseys lack some of the premium finishes and specifications of the Authentic jerseys, don’t let that fool you into thinking that the Nike Swingman jerseys are not quality fan jerseys.

Again, they are my top recommendation. The Nike Swingman jerseys are very similar in appearance to the players’ jerseys, and they are very comfortable to wear against the skin.

To help you make your own personal decision, let’s look at what the Nike Swingman does and does not offer in comparison to the Nike Authentic.

Graphics

The Nike Swingman jerseys do not have sewn-on numbers, letters, and logos, while the Nike Authentic jerseys do. Here is a look at the graphics on my Joel Embiid Nike Swingman:

nba-nike-swingman-jersey-review-numbers-front
nba-nike-swingman-jersey-review-letters

Then here are the numbers and letters on my Nike Authentic Joel Embiid jersey. Notice the graphics on the Nike Authentic are stitched on and are made with higher quality:

nike-authentic-jersey-review-numbers
nike-authentic-jersey-review-nba-letters

As you can see, the graphics on the Nike Swingman are heat-sealed on and are not stitched. There’s no debating that stitched on graphics are better, and match the players’ jerseys, but what I tell people is this: even though the graphics are not sewn on, the Nike Swingman jerseys still look very nice in appearance.

Here is a look at my Nike Swingman (right) next to my Nike Authentic (left):

nike-swingman-vs-authentic-front-1

As you can see, from a distance, it is hard to tell much of a difference in the graphics. And overall, the jerseys appear very similar. Here I am wearing my Nike Swingman jersey:

nike-nba-swingman-jersey-review

Some other notable differences between the Nike Swingman and the Nike Authentic are:

  • Jersey Construction
  • Championship Badge
  • Length

The Authentic jerseys run longer than the Nike Swingman jerseys do, and the material of the Nike Authentic jerseys has built-in ventilation throughout different sections of the jersey for added comfort.

The Nike Authentic jerseys also have the championship badge on the back neckline, but the Nike Swingman jerseys do not. Here is a look at the gold championship badge on the back of my Nike Authentic:

nike-authentic-jersey-review-nba-titles

You can expect the Nike Swingman jerseys to have an athletic, slim fit. The Nike Authentic jerseys also have the same slim fit. If you are in between sizes, or prefer a loose fit, you will need to size up.

If you want to read more about the Nike Swingman jerseys or the Nike Authentic jerseys, you can visit the individual review I did on both jerseys:

What are Mitchell & Ness Swingman Jerseys?

Mitchell and Ness Swingman jerseys are a tier of jerseys offered by Mitchell & Ness that do not have all the exact specifications that the Mitchel & Ness Authentic jerseys have.

Just like Nike, because these Swingman jerseys don’t have all the premium finishes, it allows Mitchell & Ness to offer these Swingman jerseys at a cheaper price point than the Authentic jerseys.

Here is what you need to know about Mitchell & Ness vs Nike: Mitchell & Ness does not make jerseys for the current NBA rosters. If you are looking for the jersey of a current player and a current team, you will need to stick with Nike (or Fanatics).

Mitchell & Ness specializes in creating classic throwback jerseys for some of the game’s greatest superstars and best throwback jersey styles. If you want a classic throwback, you will need to buy a Mitchel & Ness jersey.

In my opinion, these are the best NBA throwback jerseys (affiliate links take you to NBAStore.com):

  • The Kobe Bryant Authentic rookie “8” throwback 96-97 Los Angeles Lakers jersey (see picture here)
  • The Michael Jordan classic Authentic throwback 97-98 Chicago Bulls jersey (see picture here)
  • The Lebron James rookie Authentic throwback 03-04 Cleveland Cavaliers jersey (see picture here)
  • The Kevin Durant rookie Authentic throwback 07-08 Seattle SuperSonics jersey (see picture here)
  • The Steph Curry rookie road Authentic throwback 09-10 Golden State Warriors jersey (see picture here)
  • The Larry Bird throwback Swingman 85-86 Boston Celtics jersey (see picture here)
  • The Allen Iverson rookie Authentic 96-97 Philadelphia 76ers jersey (see picture here)

I own a Shaquille O’Neal Mitchell and Ness Swingman jersey. Here is a look at how it fits on me (size medium and I am 6’3″ 200 pounds). For reference, here I am wearing a medium t-shirt:

medium-t-shirt
mitchell-and-ness-swingman-review-nba-front-pocket
mitchell-and-ness-swingman-review-nba-front-pocket-layer

The Mitchell and Ness Swingman jerseys have a slim fit that I did not have to size up. But if you prefer a baggy jersey, you will need to size up.

One thing that stands out to me about the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys is the fact that they have sewn-on numbers and letters.

As we discussed in the Nike section above, the Nike Swingman jerseys only have heat-applied graphics, and if you want sewn-on graphics in Nike, you have to buy a Nike Authentic.

Mitchell & Ness offers sewn-on graphics even in the Swingman edition. Now, it is important to note that Mitchell & Ness is tasked with making replica jerseys from several different NBA eras, so there may be some versions that do not feature sewn-on graphics.

I do not own all the jerseys, obviously. But my jersey does have sewn-on graphics:

mitchell-and-ness-swingman-review-nba-front-logo
mitchell-and-ness-swingman-review-nba-front-logo-team
mitchell-and-ness-swingman-review-nba-backside-letters
mitchell-and-ness-swingman-review-nba-logo

The Mitchell & Ness jerseys have that clean, classic jersey style with the vintage ventilation holes throughout the jersey, and the rib-knit collars and sleeve hems. A very nice jersey that is a great option if you are interested in throwback jerseys.

  • This is where you can browse the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).

If you want to read more about the Mitchell & Ness jerseys, you can visit my individual reviews on their jerseys:

To read about other NBA fan jerseys and apparel (we do real reviews), you can visit our NBA Jersey Resource Page.


Where to Buy NBA Jerseys

This is where you can browse the jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). Because there are potentially fake jerseys on the re-sale market, we always recommend you to buy your jerseys from a reputable source like NBAStore.com, which is the official online shop of the NBA.

Paul Johnson

Paul has been with us from our beginnings. He focuses on a wide range of sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB and golf.

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