Mitchell & Ness
Fanatics · United States
Mitchell & Ness is a Philadelphia sportswear company founded in 1904 that is known for reproducing historically accurate throwback jerseys. It became a subsidiary of Fanatics in February 2022, following earlier ownership by adidas and Juggernaut Capital Partners.
| Founded | 1904 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Frank P. Mitchell and Charles M. Ness |
| Owner | Fanatics (since 2022) |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia |
| Segment | Licensed sports heritage apparel |
| Website | mitchellandness.com |
What is Mitchell & Ness?
Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co. is a Philadelphia-based sportswear company that makes licensed throwback jerseys, shorts, casual apparel, hats and accessories, alongside its own M&N line.
History
Frank P. Mitchell and Charles M. Ness founded Mitchell & Ness Sporting Goods in 1904, initially making tennis rackets and custom golf clubs. The company moved into uniforms for local baseball and football teams and supplied the Philadelphia Eagles from 1933 through the 1963 season. After it dropped team business in the late 1970s to focus on retail, it nearly went bankrupt in 1983. A request to repair vintage wool-flannel jerseys led it to reproduce historically accurate baseball uniforms, using old flannel found in a North Philadelphia warehouse.
Ownership
- 2007: adidas bought the company.
- 2016: adidas sold it to private equity firm Juggernaut Capital Partners.
- February 2022: Fanatics acquired it, with investors including LeBron James, Jay-Z and Kevin Hart.
Products and distribution
Wikipedia lists licences with MLB, the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, WNBA and NCAA, building on NBA Hardwood Classics from 1999, a football Throwback Collection from 2000 and NHL vintage sweater rights from 2002. It expanded to the UK and Australia in 2012 and has operated stadium stores at Citizens Bank Park since 2008. The same source names Eli Kumekpor as chief executive; readers should verify current leadership before relying on it.
Why it matters
Mitchell & Ness helped establish the throwback jersey as a fashion category, linking sports licensing with streetwear and hip-hop culture.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Mitchell & Ness?
Mitchell & Ness has been a subsidiary of Fanatics since February 2022. It was previously owned by adidas from 2007 and by Juggernaut Capital Partners from 2016.
Where is Mitchell & Ness from?
Mitchell & Ness is from Philadelphia, where it was founded in 1904.