The black-and-white threads didn't just change the team's look; they changed the vibe of the entire franchise. When the LA Times Clippers jersey—formally known as the 2019-20 City Edition—first hit the court, people weren't just looking at basketball. They were looking at the soul of Los Angeles.
It was gritty. It was bold. Honestly, it was a middle finger to the "country club" aesthetic people usually associate with NBA branding.
The Mystery of the LA Times Font
Everyone calls it the "LA Times jersey," but why? If you look at the chest of that 2019-2020 kit, the word "Los Angeles" isn't written in a standard athletic block font. It's written in a sharp, ornate Old English script.
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It is the exact same style of lettering that has topped the Los Angeles Times masthead for over a century.
But there’s a deeper layer here. The team didn't just call up a newspaper editor and ask for a logo. They went to the streets. The jersey was designed in collaboration with Mister Cartoon, a legendary LA tattoo artist who has inked everyone from Kobe Bryant to Eminem.
Cartoon didn't choose the font because of journalism. He chose it because of power.
In a 2019 interview with SLAM, Cartoon explained that back in the day, the "homies" realized that everything important was written in that font—birth certificates, wedding licenses, and the city's biggest newspaper. By putting that font on a jersey, or a wall, or a tattoo, you weren't just writing a name. You were making it "official." You were giving the neighborhood the same prestige as a front-page headline.
Why the Clippers Went Black and White
The colors—or lack thereof—were a shock.
For decades, the Clippers were stuck in the shadow of the Lakers, wearing a similar red, white, and blue palette that felt... safe. Maybe a little too safe. When they pivoted to the high-contrast black and white for this City Edition, it felt like a declaration of independence.
It wasn't about being "the other team" anymore.
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- The Look: Stark white Old English lettering on a deep black canvas.
- The Logo: A stylized "LA" on the waistband that mirrored the same street-inspired script.
- The Vibe: Blue-collar, underdog, and unapologetically West Coast.
Fans went wild for it. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George had just arrived, and these jerseys became the visual shorthand for the "L.A. Our Way" era. It was a move away from the glitz of Hollywood and toward the asphalt of the real city.
The Lasting Legacy of the LA Times Style
You see it everywhere now. Even though the team has moved on to other City Editions—like the Jonas Wood collaboration for the 2024-25 season or the floral-accented 2023 versions—the "LA Times" look is the one that stuck.
It defined a moment.
If you go to a game at the Intuit Dome today, you'll still see thousands of fans wearing that 2019 black-and-white kit. It’s become a "classic" in a way few modern jerseys do. It actually felt like Los Angeles. Not the Los Angeles of palm trees and beaches, but the Los Angeles of custom cars, street murals, and 2:00 AM taco trucks.
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How to Spot an Authentic Version
Because these were so popular, the market is flooded with fakes. If you’re hunting for a real LA Times Clippers jersey, you have to be careful. Check the "jock tag" at the bottom left.
Real Nike City Editions from that year have a specific "Mister Cartoon" signature detail near the hem. The embroidery on the Old English lettering should be thick and slightly raised, not flat and printed. If the "L" and the "A" look thin or flimsy, it’s probably a knockoff.
Actionable Tips for Collectors
- Search the Specific Year: Don't just look for "Clippers jersey." Search for "2019-20 Clippers City Edition" to find the specific Mister Cartoon design.
- Verify the Logo: Ensure the "LA" logo on the shorts (if you’re buying the full set) matches the font on the chest.
- Check the Sponsor Patch: For that season, the "Honey" patch was the official sponsor. Most authentic retail versions sold at the team store included it, though some "Swingman" versions sold through general retailers did not.
- Look for the Script: The "Los Angeles" script should have a very specific "hand-drawn" feel. It’s not a standard computer font; it’s art.
The Clippers have recently undergone a massive total rebrand for the 2024-25 season, moving toward a naval-inspired look with a "C" and a ship. It's clean. It's professional. But for many fans, the soul of the team will always be wrapped up in that black-and-white Old English script that looked like it was ripped straight off the front page of the paper.
To secure a piece of this history, your best bet is now the secondary market. Check sites like eBay, Grailed, or specialized vintage sports apparel shops. Just remember: if the price seems too good to be true for a Kawhi or PG13 version, it probably is. These have held their value better than almost any other jersey in franchise history.