AND1, an iconic name in the world of basketball, has left an indelible mark on both the courts and the culture of streetball. Founded on August 13, 1993, AND1 quickly established itself as a brand synonymous with basketball prowess and street cred. Specializing in basketball shoes, clothing, and sporting goods, AND1 became more than just a brand—it became a movement. Its focus on basketball and the vibrant streetball culture has made it a household name among basketball enthusiasts and fashion aficionados alike. As a subsidiary of Galaxy Universal, AND1 continues to innovate and influence the sport and its associated lifestyle.

The rise of AND1 is a tale of grassroots success. What began as a graduate school project by Jay Coen Gilbert, Seth Berger, and Tom Austin at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, evolved into a major player in the sportswear industry. The brand name, inspired by a phrase used by basketball commentators to denote a free throw awarded after a scoring foul, perfectly encapsulated its ethos. Starting with selling T-shirts out of the back of a car, AND1 captured the spirit of street basketball with bold slogans and trash talk. This unique approach resonated with streetball players, and Foot Locker soon began stocking their shirts. Within two years, AND1’s reach had expanded to 1,500 stores across America.

AND1’s breakthrough came in 1998 with the “Skip tape,” a low-quality video of streetballer Rafer Alston, aka “Skip to my Lou.” This tape, submitted by a high school coach, showcased Alston’s incredible skills and soon became a marketing sensation. AND1 re-edited the tape into 50,000 copies and distributed it widely, transforming Alston into a streetball legend. This strategy birthed the AND1 Mixtape series, which combined high-octane basketball highlights with hip-hop culture. By 1999, AND1’s first series of commercials and print ads featured NBA players, but it was the Mixtape that truly propelled the brand into the national spotlight.

The AND1 Mixtape Tour, starting in 1999, further cemented the brand’s legacy. Touring across the United States and eventually the world, the Mixtape Tour featured streetballers like “Hot Sauce” and “The Professor” who would challenge local talent in electrifying one-on-one matches. These tours, televised live on ESPN, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, competing with mainstream sports shows for ratings. By 2001, AND1 was second only to Nike in market share among NBA endorsees, and its products were available in over 130 countries. The brand even ventured into video games with the release of AND1 Streetball in 2006, further embedding itself in basketball culture.

Understanding the evolution of AND1’s logos and tags is crucial for vintage clothing enthusiasts. The brand’s logos and tags have changed over the years, reflecting its growth and the changing trends in sportswear fashion. Identifying these details can help collectors and fans distinguish between different eras of AND1 apparel, adding a layer of appreciation and authenticity to their collections. From the bold, blocky fonts of the 1990s to the streamlined designs of today, AND1’s logos encapsulate the brand’s journey and its place in basketball history. Similarly, the tags offer insights into the production era and location, further enriching the narrative of each piece of AND1 clothing.

Iconic Y2K And1 ‘The Professor’ Mixtape

How to tell if And1 is vintage from the logo

And1, a brand synonymous with street basketball culture, has undergone several logo changes since its inception. These logos reflect the brand’s evolution and its efforts to stay relevant in the ever-changing sportswear market. Identifying the era of an And1 product can be quite straightforward if you know the characteristics of its logos from different periods.

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1993 to 2002 And1 logo

• The original And1 logo features a bold, blocky font with rounded edges.
• The color scheme is typically monochrome, emphasizing a modern, sleek look.
• There is no additional graphic element apart from the text, making it simplistic and easily recognizable.

1993 to 2002 And1 logo

2002 to 2008 And1 logo

• The logo introduced a new dynamic element with a basketball player graphic.
• The text remains bold but is slightly more angular compared to the previous era.
• The addition of an orange background to the basketball player graphic makes the logo stand out more.

2002 to 2008 And1 logo

2008 to now And1 logo

• The latest And1 logo reverts to a more streamlined design with a simple, modern font.
• The basketball player graphic is removed, leaving just the text in a stylized oval shape.
• The color scheme is predominantly black and white, giving it a timeless and professional appearance.

2008 to now And1 logo

How to tell if AND1 is vintage from the tags

AND1 has undergone several branding and production changes over the decades. Identifying vintage AND1 clothing involves examining the tag designs, which reflect different styles and production periods. Here’s a guide to help you identify the era of AND1 clothing based on the tags.

1990s vintage AND1 tags

• Tags often feature bold, serif lettering.
• Includes iconic illustrations of basketball players.
• Made in USA labels are common, reflecting domestic production.
• Simple black and white designs with size information included.

1990s And1 tags

2000s vintage AND1 tags

• Tags start to include more color, such as orange and grey.
• Bold serif lettering remains a key feature.
• Production locations diversify, including countries like Mexico and Pakistan.
• Additional branding elements, like slogans or detailed illustrations, are included.
• Size information is often on a separate tag.

2000s And1 tags