Christmas may be coming early this year… at least for a large segment of the LA Kings fanbase.
While a certain subset of the team’s supporters have been calling for the franchise to go back to their original look of more than 50 years ago, there seems to be the most support for their early ’90s look. And next season, it could be coming back in a big way.
We have a lot of information to dissect here, and it’s a blend of rumor and fact. Let’s start with what we know.
On Wednesday, the Kings were testing out several different number configurations for what is believed to be next year’s jersey. Much like they did prior to launching their latest Heritage Series / Alternate uniform kit (i.e. white jerseys with the chrome helmets), they did some test samples to see what different configurations looked like on TV. If you recall back to some news we shared around the time of the current throwback jerseys being launched, the Kings had first tested out a full jersey made of the shiny silver material now used to trim the bottom of that sweater, as well as being featured on the sleeves from the elbow down.
A full silver jersey didn’t show well on TV, which played a part in how the team eventually landed on what has become known as the ‘chrome kit’ — something they’re wearing 15 times this season.
Like most things in life, there isn’t just one factor behind any upcoming changes. Yet, one key element is the NHL’s upcoming switch from Adidas to Fanatics as the primary supplier. Back in March, the two parties announced a historic 10-year agreement, with Fanatics signing on to become the league’s on-ice jersey outfitter and retail supplier, beginning with the 2024-25 season.
We had previously heard that due to supply chain limitations and production ramp up times related to starting up this new initiative, there was a strong possibility that NHL teams would be limited to just two jerseys next season, their home and road. If that’s still the case, it’s easy to understand the Kings conundrum. Some within management sat up and took notice of the wildly successful Reverse Retro program. It was the first time in decades Kings fans responded positively — with their wallets — when it came to purple (Forum Blue for the purists) themed team merchandise. And it happened twice over a three year period with the Reverse Retro program.
Making a move to go back to purple and gold full time would be a rather major undertaking at this point. While there is a camp within the organization who is pushing for it, we’ve long believed that those colors are more likely to be used as a third jersey option down the line.
It’s also worth noting, simply adopting the two Reverse Retro jerseys as their new home/road for next season isn’t really an option. Those designs were done in partnership with Adidas.
Getting back to the two-jersey limit for next season, keep in mind that the league likes it when home and road jerseys share the same crest. This also makes it easier on jersey manufacturers. If Fanatics is truly going to limit teams to just two jerseys next season, the Kings would need to decide — (a) keep the current home/road combination pretty much as is, thereby ditching the chrome kit for next season or (b) switch to the white alternate jersey as the new road sweater, and create a black version to wear at home.
From everything we’re hearing, it’s sounding more and more like the Kings are leaning toward the latter option — meaning they’ll be returning to the ’90s era crest as their primary logo next season.
This also affords them several options down the road. For example, they could eventually reinstate the current black jersey as an alternate jersey in a year or two. After all, it was originally launched as a third jersey in 2008.
The more likely scenario would have the team announce a purple and gold alternate jersey in year two or three of the Fanatics deal. This jersey could be a true Heritage version, one that looks similar to their 1967 sweater with a crown. It could also be something similar to the first Reverse Retro sweaters, where it keeps the crest they’re allegedly returning to, but did so with a purple and gold theme — sort of a ‘best of all worlds’ concept, where they keep similar branding across all three jerseys, yet do an alternate version in the throwback colors.
But wait, there’s more…
Beyond returning to the ’90s era crest full-time next season, the Kings have also been looking at different number styles, both on their jersey sleeves and on the back. Below are some actual pictures spotted at Wednesday’s TV test, as well as a mockup of what a potential new black jersey may look like.
A possible throwback to the silver letters used during the team’s silver anniversary in 1992:
Notice the subtle changes to the numbers:
Additional looks at some of the changes being tested:
And a black jersey mockup, courtesy of our own ALoImages:
For additional reflections on what the different number styles tested would look like, here are a few more mockups:
RELATED CONTENT:
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
Time to change the color scheme. Black was cool for awhile but it’s getting old.
Black is Classy, understated and it stands out. I hope it stays…
The thing is: Black is — and always will be — an intimidating color. It’s a psychological ploy and it works!
Gretzky-era black-and-silver is still the best, with the reverse retro as an alternate. The skinny silver piping on the current jersey is weak, and ii don’t understand the arm stripes with the numbers above them.
Purple and gold with crown is by far the best look. The black and silver was a copy of the Raiders. Do we really need that?
Fully agreed
Instead of white numbers, how about silver numbers or a color with silver and white mixed together!
How about going with a completely different color scheme a la Manchester monarchs of just a couple years ago? That would be nice and refreshing instead of these same old retreads. Marketing for this team really needs to improve.
As a long time Kings fan from the early 1970’s as a kid, let’s bring back the Forum colors ‘Purple and Gold’ with the crown. They were colorful and classic. The Black/White uniforms are as boring and lousy as Kings play for many years.
I want purple back
Just make a black version of the white chrome dome sweaters & have those for the home sweaters, been a Kings fan since 1967 …
Forum Blue and Gold is the only variation needed. Black and silver was a downgrade to ride the coat tails of the Al Davis moving to LA.
You won 2 cups with those sweaters. Leave them be.
Free Bruce McNall
Purple and Gold are The Kings!
The colors of a royalty (King) are purple and gold with a crown. The Kings should go back to what truly were the proper and best looking jerseys in franchise history. Black and silver boring and is way to prevalent in way too many sports teams
Bring back Purple, silver and black, like 2006 crown logo- I won’t buy one of their new lousy “LA” jerseys – they are LOUSY!!!!! I WOULD use a different word, but…
The LOGO is Bush league and you need some purple with your Black, which is good. Purple is REGAL, if you have forgotten, not Purple and gold. We are not the Lakers.
Keep in mind, the Lakers copied the Kings (not the other way around). The Lakers colors were powder blue. They switched to the Kings colors.
I believe the colors and the crown of the early 2000’s is the best look the kings have had. Like the purple don’t need the gold.
It’d be cool if the Kings bought back the purple and gold as it makes them standout better. I would love for the Kings to wear a yellow or gold jersey and a purple jersey. In the future the alternate jersey could be white or the yellow jersey.
I gotta do more research on Fanatics. I wish the league got outfitted by Nike where they can have a set of 4 uniforms and drop the home and away designation uniforms. I would love to see teams wearing white jerseys at home again. Hopefully, the NHL drops home away designations under Fanatics and have home teams alternate between wearing home and away kits whenever they wanted.
Just go back to the purple and black. Those were always the best look by far. Lakers already wear purple and yellow. Let them have that look. The Kings need their own identity.
I say I’d go with the Black jersey with white current font name on back and number on back and sleeves as home, White jersey with black current font name on back and number on back and sleeves as away that both have the current team logo in front with ‘LA’ on it, and the Gold/Purple jersey with the crown in front, and purple name and number on the back, and purple number on the sleeves as Alternate.
Hey Mr. Hoven! I had the throwback white, purple, and gold jersey that you took a photo of at the game against Seattle! It was an absolute honor to have gotten your attention and to have met you in such an amazing way. I’d love for the kings to go with a home Black version that matches our current chrome dome alternate white jersey. Just fully embrace the 90s silver and black era but with the new modern twist because kings just look the most intimidating and iconic when we’ve got black and white as our primary look. I love the idea of leaving forum blue and gold as the third jersey in the future hopefully something similar to the jersey I had created!
https://twitter.com/mayorNHL/status/1737703992023724525