The Story Behind the Golden State Warriors’ First Jersey

Michael Carter

April 21, 2025

The Golden State Warriors, one of the most iconic franchises in NBA history, have a rich sartorial legacy that began not in California but on the East Coast. Their very first jersey, worn in 1946, was a product of its time—simple yet symbolic, representing the birth of a team that would eventually become a basketball dynasty. 

But who designed it? The answer isn’t as straightforward as one might think, because the creation of the Warriors’ inaugural uniform was less about a single visionary and more about the collaboration between early basketball entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and the spirit of post-war America.

The Birth of the Philadelphia Warriors

Before they were the Golden State Warriors, the team was founded as the Philadelphia Warriors in 1946, part of the newly formed Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to become the NBA. The team was owned by a group of investors led by Peter A. Tyrrell, a prominent figure in Philadelphia sports who also owned the Philadelphia Rockets hockey team.

At the time, professional basketball was still in its infancy. Teams didn’t have elaborate branding departments or high-profile designers crafting their looks. Instead, uniforms were functional, often resembling the basic tank tops worn in college basketball. The Warriors’ first jersey was no exception—a simple, sleeveless wool garment with minimal embellishment.

The Design: Colors, Fabric, and Style

The original Philadelphia Warriors jersey featured: Royal blue and gold—colors borrowed from Philadelphia’s official city flag. A straightforward arched “WARRIORS” script across the chest in gold. A rounded collar and wide armholes, typical of 1940s athletic wear.

Wool fabric, which was standard for basketball uniforms at the time (despite being heavy and uncomfortable).

Unlike today’s high-tech, moisture-wicking jerseys, early NBA uniforms were rudimentary. They absorbed sweat, became heavy during games, and often shrank after washing. Yet, they carried a raw, authentic charm that reflected the grit of early professional basketball.

The Story Behind the Golden State Warriors’ First Jersey

Who Actually Designed the Jersey?

Unlike modern NBA uniforms, which are meticulously crafted by sportswear giants like Nike and often involve input from designers and marketing teams, the Warriors’ first jersey was likely a collaborative effort between:

The Team’s Ownership – Peter A. Tyrrell and his partners may have sketched out basic ideas, choosing colors and lettering styles.

Local Manufacturers – Companies like Sand-Knit or Wilson, which supplied many early NBA teams, probably standardized the design for mass production.

Influence from College Basketball – Many early pro teams borrowed aesthetics from college hoops, where simple block lettering was common.

There was no single “designer” in the way we think of today—no equivalent to someone like Jerry West, whose silhouette later inspired the NBA logo. Instead, the jersey was a functional piece of athletic wear first, a branding statement second.

The Evolution: From Philadelphia to San Francisco

The Warriors’ uniform changed when the team moved to San Francisco in 1962, becoming the San Francisco Warriors. By the mid-1960s, they introduced one of the most famous jerseys in NBA history: “The City” jersey, featuring a cable car and the Golden Gate Bridge. That design, unlike the original, had a known influence—Bud Stallworth, a designer who worked with the team, helped create the iconic look.

But the first jersey? It remains a product of its era, a relic of a time when basketball was still finding its identity.

The Enduring Legacy of the Original Warriors Jersey

Though the 1946 Philadelphia Warriors jersey—with its simple arched lettering and heavy wool fabric—may seem worlds apart from today’s high-performance NBA uniforms, its influence has never truly faded. While the original design is long gone, its spirit lingers in the DNA of the franchise, subtly shaping the team’s visual identity across generations.  

A Modern Homage: The “Classic” Edition Uniforms

The Warriors have never forgotten their roots. In recent years, Nike and the NBA’s “Classic Edition” program have allowed teams to revisit their past, and Golden State has embraced this opportunity. The team’s “Heritage” jerseys, introduced in the 2010s, are direct descendants of that 1946 design—featuring the same royal blue and gold color scheme, a throwback “Warriors” wordmark, and even the rounded collar that defined early basketball uniforms.  

When Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green don these retro-inspired uniforms, they aren’t just wearing a nostalgic gimmick—they’re embodying the franchise’s origin story. The jerseys serve as a bridge between eras, reminding fans that today’s dynasty was built on the foundation laid by the early Philadelphia teams, which featured legends like `Joe Fulks’, the NBA’s first scoring champion.  

The Mystery of the Designer: Lost to Time, But Not Forgotten  

Unlike modern uniforms, which are meticulously crafted by sportswear giants and often credited to specific designers, the original Warriors jersey was a product of its time—functional, straightforward, and likely the result of collaboration between team ownership and local manufacturers. While we may never know the exact individual who sketched the first design, its legacy persists in the way the franchise honors its history.  

Perhaps that anonymity makes the jersey even more special. It wasn’t created for merchandising or viral appeal—it was made purely for the game. In an era before branding consultants and social media campaigns, the uniform existed simply to identify the team on the court. That authenticity resonates with fans today, especially in a sports landscape where aesthetics are often as important as performance.  

Basketball in Its Purest Form

The original Warriors jersey represents a time when basketball was raw, unfiltered, and still defining itself. The wool fabric, the lack of flashy graphics, the absence of corporate logos—all of it speaks to a sport that was still finding its identity. Yet, in many ways, that simplicity is what makes the design timeless.  

When the Warriors wear throwback uniforms today, they aren’t just celebrating the past; they’re reinforcing a connection to the essence of basketball. The game has evolved—players now wear lightweight, breathable fabrics designed for maximum performance—but the soul of the sport remains the same. And in that sense, the 1946 jersey isn’t just a relic; it’s a reminder of where the game began and how far it’s come.  

A Legacy That Lives On

Every time the Warriors step onto the court in a retro-inspired uniform, they carry forward a piece of history. The original jersey may have been retired decades ago, but its influence is still felt—whether in the team’s occasional nods to its Philadelphia roots or in the broader trend of NBA teams embracing classic designs.  

In the end, the first Warriors jersey wasn’t about making a fashion statement. It was about basketball—pure, uncomplicated, and unpretentious. And in today’s era of high-tech uniforms and ever-changing styles, that simplicity is what makes it truly special.

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