Athletic Jersey Having Separate Sections Replicating Different Athletic Jerseys

Abstract

An athletic jersey includes a body portion having a neck opening, a waist opening a, and opposed arm openings, a pair of sleeve portions secured to the body portion at the arm openings, and a neck band secured to the body portion at the neck opening. The athletic jersey includes a first section and a separate second section secured the first section by a plurality of sewn seams along a connection plane. Athlete indicia associated with an athlete such as the athlete's surname is provided on at least one of the first and second sections. The first section forms a first field having first team indicia of a first athletic team associated with the athlete such as colors of the first athletic team and the second section forms a second field having second team indicia of a second athletic team associated with the athlete such as colors of the second athletic team.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/438,826 filed Dec. 4, 2012 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/393,584 filed Jun. 7, 2011, now U.S. patent number D680,301 issued Apr. 23, 2013, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/438,841 filed Dec. 4, 2012 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/393,561 filed Jun. 7, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. D680,300 issued Apr. 23, 2013, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to apparel, and more specifically, to athletic jerseys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sports such as, for example, football, basketball, soccer, hockey, baseball, and the like, each have become very popular. Each of these sports have many teams at varying levels of completion including youth, high school, college, professional, and international (such as, for example, the Olympics and the World Cup). Some fans develop loyalties or allegiances to a particular athletic team or to particular athletic teams at one or more level of competition. Because these athletic teams each wear athletic jerseys having unique colors, logos, designs etc. adopted with that particular team, fans show their allegiance to a team by purchasing an athletic jersey that is a replica or imitation of the team's actual athletic jersey.

Some fans develop loyalty or allegiance to a particular player or athlete which may be as strong or stronger than the fan's allegiance to the athlete's team or teams. Such fans can show their allegiance to a particular player or by purchasing a player jersey that is is a replica or imitation of the athlete's actual athletic jersey, When wearing a player jersey however, it is not clear whether the fan's loyalty lies with the team, the player, or both.

Fans who develop loyalty to a particular player or athlete often follow the athlete as the athlete's career progresses from team to team and/or level to level. For example, a fan may follow a football player from a college team to a professional team and then to another professional team and/or international team etc. Thus, the fan may purchase multiple player jerseys, each of which still does not make it clear that the fan's allegiance is greater to the athlete than it is to the athlete's teams. Accordingly, there is a need for improved player jerseys that can be used to clearly express loyalty to an individual player rather than to the player's teams.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are athletic jerseys which overcome at least one of the deficiencies of the prior art. Disclosed is an athletic jersey comprising, in combination, a body portion having a neck opening at an upper end, a waist opening at a. lower end, and opposed arm openings at lateral sides, and a neck band secured to the body portion at the neck opening. The athletic jersey includes a first section and a separate second section secured to the first section by a plurality of sewn seams along a connection plane. The body portion includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams include a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the body portion on opposed sides of the body portion along the connection plane. The neck band includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the neck band on opposed sides of the neck opening along the connection plane. Athlete indicia associated with an athlete is provided on at least one of the first and second sections. The first section forms a first field having first team indicia of a first athletic team associated with the athlete and the second section forms a second field having second team indicia of a second athletic team associated with the athlete.

Also disclosed is an athletic jersey comprising, in combination, a body portion having a neck opening at an upper end, a waist opening at a lower end, and opposed arm openings at lateral sides, and a pair of sleeve portions secured to the body portion at the arm openings. The athletic jersey includes a first section and a separate second section secured the first section by a plurality of sewn seams along a connection plane. The body portion includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams include a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the body portion on opposed sides of the body portion along the connection plane. Each of the sleeve portions includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the sleeve portions on top and bottom sides of the sleeve portions along the connection plane. Athlete indicia associated with an athlete is provided on at least one of the first and second sections. The first section forms a first field having first team indicia of a first athletic team associated with the athlete and the second section forms a second field having second team indicia of a second athletic team associated with the athlete.

Also disclosed is an athletic jersey comprising, in combination, a body portion having a neck opening at an upper end, a waist opening at a lower end, and opposed arm openings at lateral sides, a pair of sleeve portions secured to the body portion at the arm openings, and a neck band secured to the body portion at the neck opening; The athletic jersey includes a first section and a separate second section secured the first section by a plurality of sewn seams along a connection plane. The first section comprises a front half of the body portion, the sleeve portions, and the neck band, and the second section comprises a back half of the body portion, the sleeve portions, and the neck band. The body portion includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams include a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the body portion on opposed sides of the body portion along the connection plane, each of the sleeve portions includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the sleeve portions on top and bottom sides of the sleeve portions along the connection plane. The neck band includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the neck band on opposed sides of the neck opening along the connection plane Athlete indicia associated with an athlete is provided on at least one of the first and second sections The athlete indicia includes a surname of the athlete located on the back half of the body portion. The first section forms a first field having first team indicia of a first athletic team associated with the athlete and the second section forms a second field having second team indicia of a second athletic team associated with the athlete. The first team indicia includes colors of the first athletic team and the second team indicia includes colors of the second athletic team.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of athletic jerseys. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing a clear indication of loyalty to a particular player at a relatively small cost. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an athletic jersey according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the athletic jersey of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the athletic jersey of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the athletic jersey of FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the athletic jersey of FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the athletic jersey of FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11A-11A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an athletic jersey according to a variation of the athletic jersey of FIGS. 1 to 12.

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the athletic jersey of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front view of an athletic jersey according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the athletic jersey of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front view of an athletic jersey according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the athletic jersey of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front view of an athletic jersey according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the athletic jersey of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a front view of an athletic jersey according to a fifth embodiment of he present invention.

FIG. 22 is a rear view of the athletic jersey of FIG. 21.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the athletic jerseys as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of the various components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the athletic jerseys illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the improved apparel disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with regard to football jerseys. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure such as, for example, basketball jerseys, soccer jerseys, hockey jerseys, baseball jerseys, and the like.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 12 illustrate an athletic or player jersey 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated athletic jersey 10 includes a body portion 12 for covering at least a portion of portion of the wearer's torso, a pair of opposed sleeve portions 14 extending from opposed lateral sides of the body portion 12 for covering at least an upper portion of the wearer's arms, and a neck band or band collar 16 at a top of the body portion 12 for extending around the wearers neck. The illustrated body portion 12 has an upper or neck opening 18 located at an upper end of the body portion 12 and sized and shaped for passage of the wearer's neck therethrough, a lower or waist opening 20 located at a lower end of the body portion 12 and sized and shaped for passage of the wearer's waist therethrough, and arm openings 22 located at opposed upper lateral sides of the body portion 12 and sized and shaped for passage of the wearer's arms therethrough. The illustrated sleeve portions 14 are located at the arm openings 22 of the body portion 12 and are sized and shaped for passage of the wearer's arms therethrough. The illustrated neck band 16 is located at the neck opening 18 of the body portion 12 and is sized and shaped for passage of the wearer's neck therethrough. The body portion 12, the sleeve portions 14, and the neck band 16 can be sized and shaped in any desired manner and can comprise any suitable material such as, for example, fabric, cloth, and the like. The material forming the body portion 12, the sleeve portions 14, and the neck band 16 can be secured together in any suitable manner such as, for example, stitching, and the like as described in more detail herein below.

The illustrated athletic jersey 10 is constructed with a first or front section 24 and separate second or back section 26 secured to the first section 24 with sewn seams 30, 32, 34, 40 of stitching along a connection plane 28 centrally located in the forward/rearward direction. Constructed in this manner, the illustrated athletic jersey 10 has a replica of one athletic jersey on one side of the connection plane 28 and a replica of an entirely different athletic jersey on the other side of the connection plane 28. While the illustrated athletic Jersey 10 is constructed with two separate sections 24, 26, it is noted that it can alternatively be constructed with more than two separate sections 24, 26. It is also noted that the connection between the separate sections 24, 26 can alternatively be other than at a connection plane and/or can alternatively be at other locations.

The illustrated body portion 12 has a first or front member or front 12A and a second or back member or back 12B secured together by side sewn seams 30 located at the connection plane 28 along lateral sides of the body portion 12 below the arm openings 22 (best shown in FIG. 10) and shoulder sewn seams 32 located at the connection plane 28 along an upper end of the body portion 12 between the neck opening 18 and the arm openings 22 of the body portion 12 (best shown in FIG. 11). It is noted that the illustrated front and back members 12A, 12B are also secured together by the sleeve portions 14 and the neck band 16 as described in more detail hereinbelow. It is also noted that the front and back members 12A, 12B can each include one or more components or portions sewn together such as, for example, they can includes at least a portion of a yoke as shown.

The illustrated sleeve portions 14 also each have a first or front member 14A and a second or hack member 14B secured together by top and bottom sewn seams 34, 36 located at the connection plane 28 along the top and bottom of the sleeve portions 14 from the body portion 12 to an outer open end of the sleeve portions 16 (best shown in FIG. 11A). The sleeve portions 14 are each secured to the body portion 12 with a sewn seam 38 extending about the sleeve portion 16 at the arm opening 22 (best shown in FIG. 12). It is noted that the front and back members 14A, 14B can include one or more components or portions sewn together. While the illustrated sleeve portions 14 have a short sleeve configuration, it is also noted that the sleeve portions 14 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration such as, for example, long sleeves, and the like.

The illustrated neck band 16 has a first or front member 16A and a second or back member 16B secured together by side sewn seams located at the connection plane along lateral sides of the neck band (best shown in FIG. 9). The neck band 16 is secured to the body portion 12 with a sewn scam 42 extending about the neck band 16 at the neck opening 18 of the body portion 12 (best shown in FIG. 8). It is noted that the front and back members 16A, 16B can include one or more components or portions sewn together such as, for example, the front member 16A can have two components sewn together at a central front seam 44 as shown. While the illustrated neck band 16 has a V-neck shape, it is also noted that the neck band 16 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration such as, for example, circular and/or provided with a turndown collar and the like.

The illustrated front and back sections 24, 26 form first and second fields 46, 48. The first field 46 has first team indicia 50 such as colors, logos, designs, etc. of a first sports or athletic team associated with a particular player or athlete and the second field 48 has team second team indicia 52 such as colors, logos, designs, etc. of a second sports or athletic team, different than the first athletic team, associated with the same player or athlete. The team indicia 50, 52 provided on the first and second fields 46, 48 preferably replicates or imitates the actual athletic jerseys (either present or past as desired) of the first and second teams respectively. The various hatching shown throughout the drawings is for an indication of color contrast or difference between the colors the first athletic team provided in the first field 46 and the colors of the second athletic team provided, in the second field 48 but is not intended to show any particular colors or configuration of colors. The illustrated main or background colors of the first and second fields 46, 48 are shown as the different rather than the same but it is noted that background colors can be the same such as, for example, both white as long as the remaining colors, logos, designs and/or other team indicia 50, 52 and the like provided on the first and second fields 46, 48 make it clear that the first and second fields 46, 48 represent separate and different athletic teams.

The first and second athletic teams can be of any level such as for example youth, high school, college, professional, and international (such as, for example, the Olympics and the World Cup). For example, the first athletic team could be a collegiate team that the athlete was on while the second athletic team is a professional team the athlete is/was on. Also for example, the first athletic team could be a first professional team that the athlete is/was on while the second athletic team is a second professional team the athlete is/was on. Further, for example, the first athletic team could be a professional team that the athlete is/was on while the second athletic team is an international team such as an Olympic or World Cup team) the athlete is/was on.

The illustrated first and second fields 46, 48 each have numerical indicia 54 indicating a player number or numbers associated with the athlete that is associated with the first and second athletic teams. The illustrated first and second fields 46, 48 have the same player number but it is noted that the player numbers can be different in the first and second fields 46, 48. It is preferred that the player numbers are different if the athlete is associated with different player numbers for the first and second athletic teams. Each player number is preferably the player number associated with the athlete while a player for the athletic team provided in the particular field 46, 48. For example, the first field 46 could have the player number “00” if that is the number associated with the athlete while on the first athletic team and the second field 48 could have the player number “01” if that is the player number associated with the athlete while on the second athletic team. While the illustrated player numbers are shown throughout the drawings as “00”, the numbers shown in the drawings are merely illustrative, and are not exclusive, of the body of numbers which may be used, The athletic jersey 10 can have any number(s) of the player or athlete. It is also noted that the player number can alternatively be provided on only one of the first and second fields 46, 48 if desired such as, for example, one of the first or second athletic teams does not utilize a player number on that side of the athletic Jersey 10.

The illustrated second field 48 includes player or athlete indicia 56 in the form of alphabetic indicia. The illustrated alphabetic indicia is the athlete's surname. While the athlete's surname is shown throughout the drawings is “SMITH”, the surname shown in the drawings is merely illustrative, and are not exclusive, of the body of surnames which may be used. It is noted that the player indicia 56 can alternatively be any other alphabetic or other type of indicia that would associate the first and second teams with the particular athlete such as, for example, a unique nickname or logo associated with the particular athlete. It is also noted that the player indicia 56 can alternatively be provided on the first field 46 and/or on both fields 46, 48 if desired.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an athletic jersey 100 according to a variation of the first embodiment of the present invention. The athletic jersey 100 according to the variation of the first embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as the athletic jersey 10 according to the first embodiment except that the athletic jersey 100 has additional team indicia 50, 52. The illustrated additional team indicia 50, 52 are player numbers and stripes on the sleeve portions 14 but it is noted that any other suitable type of team indicia 50, 52 can additionally or alternatively be utilized. It is noted that the illustrated player numbers and stripes cross over the connection plane 28 separating the front and back sections 24, 26 forming the first and second fields 46, 48. Thus, the player numbers and stripes have different colors on the first and second fields 46, 48.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an athletic jersey 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The athletic jersey 200 according to the second embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as the athletic jersey 10 according to the first embodiment except that that it is in the configuration of a sleeveless basketball jersey. The second embodiment illustrates that the athletic jersey 200 can be configured for other sports and/or that the sleeve portions 14 can be eliminated.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate an athletic jersey 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The athletic jersey 300 according to the third embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as the athletic jersey 10 according to the first embodiment except that it has separate left and right front sections 24A, 24B. The third embodiment illustrates that the athletic jersey 300 can have at least three separate sections 24A, 24B, 26 forming at least three fields 46A, 46B, 48 having team indicia 50A, 50B, 52 representing athletic teams associated with the athlete. The illustrated left and right front sections 24A, 24B arc connected with a sewn seam 58 of stitching along a connection plane 60 centrally located in the lateral or left/right direction. It is noted that the front member 12A of the body portion 12 comprises separate left and right portions sewn together at the seam 58 along the connection plane 60.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate an athletic jersey 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The athletic jersey 400 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as the athletic jersey 10 according to the first embodiment except that it has separate left and right back sections 26A, 26B. The fourth embodiment illustrates that the athletic jersey 400 can have at least three separate sections 24, 26A, 26B forming at least three fields 46, 48A, 48B having team indicia 50, 52A, 52B representing athletic teams associated with the athlete. The illustrated left and right back sections 26A, 26B are connected with sewn seams 62, 64 of stitching. along a connection plane 60 centrally located in the lateral or left/right direction. It is noted that the back member 12B of the body portion 12 comprises separate left and right portions sewn together at a seam 62 along the connection plane 60 and also the back member 16B of the neck band 16 comprises separate left and right portions sewn together along a seam 64 an the connection plane 60.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate an athletic jersey 500 according to a fin embodiment of the present invention. The athletic jersey 500 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention is substantially the same as the athletic jersey 10 according to the first embodiment except that it has separate left and right front sections 24A, 24B and separate left and right back sections 26A, 26B. The fifth embodiment illustrates that the athletic jersey 500 can have at least four separate sections 24A, 24B, 26A, 26B forming at least four fields 46A, 46B, 48A, 48B having team indicia 50A, 50B, 52A, 52B representing athletic teams associated with the Athlete. The illustrated kit and right front sections 24A, 24B are connected with a sewn seam 58 of stitching along a connection plane 60 centrally located in the lateral or left/right direction. It is noted that the front member 12A of the body portion 12 comprises separate left and right portions sewn together at the seam 58 along the connection plane 60. The illustrated left and right back sections 26A, 26B are connected with sewn seams 62, 64 of stitching along the connection plane 60 centrally located in the lateral or left/right direction. It is noted that the back member 12B of the body portion 12 comprises separate left and right portions sewn together at the seam 62 along the connection plane 60 and also the back member 16B of the neck band 16 comprises separate left and right portions sewn together along the seam 64 at the connection plane 60.

It is noted that each of the features and variations of the above disclosed embodiments can be used in any combination with each of the other embodiments.

From the foregoing disclosure it is apparent that illustrated athletic jerseys can be used by fans to clearly express loyalty to an individual athlete rather than to the athlete's team or teams by having a single athletic jersey representing more than one athletic team associated with the same athlete.

From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it is also apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. An athletic jersey comprising, in combination:

a body portion having a neck opening at an upper end, a waist opening at a lower end, and opposed arm openings at lateral sides;

a neck band secured to the body portion at the neck opening;

wherein the athletic jersey includes a first section and a separate second section secured to the first section by a plurality of sewn seams along a connection plane;

wherein the body portion includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams include a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the body portion on opposed sides of the body portion along the connection plane;

wherein the neck band includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the neck band on opposed sides of the neck opening along the connection plane;

athlete indicia associated with an athlete is provided on at least one of the first and second sections; and

wherein the first section forms a first field having first team indicia of a first athletic team associated with the athlete and the second section forms a second field having second team indicia of a second athletic team associated with the athlete.

2. The athletic jersey according to claim 1, wherein the connecting plane is centrally located along the body portion and the neck band in the forward/rearward direction.

3. The athletic jersey according to claim 1, wherein the first section comprises a front half of the body portion and the neck band and the second section comprises a back half of the body portion and the neck band.

4. The athletic jersey according to claim 3, wherein the athlete indicia includes a surname of the athlete located on the back half of the body portion.

5. The athletic jersey according to claim 1, wherein the athlete indicia includes a surname of the athlete.

6. The athletic jersey according to claim 1, wherein the first team indicia includes colors of the first athletic team and the second team indicia includes colors of the second athletic team.

7. The athletic jersey according to claim 1, wherein the first section includes the first member of the body portion and the first member of the neck band and the second section includes the second member of the body portion and the second member of the neck band.

8. The athletic jersey according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of sleeve portions secured to the body portion at the arm openings and wherein each of the sleeve portions include first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the sleeve portions on top and bottom sides of the sleeve portions along the connection plane.

9. An athletic jersey comprising, in combination:

a body portion having a neck opening at an upper end, a waist opening at a lower end, and opposed arm openings at lateral sides;

a pair of sleeve portions secured to the body portion at the arm openings;

wherein the athletic jersey includes a first section and a separate second section secured the first section by a plurality of sewn seams along a connection plane;

wherein the body portion includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams include a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the body portion on opposed sides of the body portion along the connection plane;

wherein each of the sleeve portions includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the sleeve portions on top and bottom sides of the sleeve portions along the connection plane;

athlete indicia associated with an athlete provided on at least one of the first and second sections; and

wherein the first section forms a first field having first team indicia of a first athletic team associated with the athlete and the second section forms a second field having second team indicia of a second athletic team associated with the athlete.

10. The athletic jersey according to claim 9, wherein the connecting plane is centrally located along the body portion and the sleeve portions in the forward/rearward direction.

11. The athletic jersey according to claim 9, wherein the first section comprises a front half of the body portion and the sleeve portions and the second section comprises a back half of the body portion and the sleeve portions.

12. The athletic jersey according to claim 11, wherein the athlete indicia includes a surname of the athlete located on the back half of the body portion.

13. The athletic jersey according to claim 9, wherein the athlete indicia includes a surname of the athlete.

14. The athletic jersey according to claim 9, wherein the first team indicia includes colors of the first athletic team and the second team indicia includes colors of the second athletic team.

15. The athletic jersey according to claim 9, wherein the first section includes the first member of the body portion and the first members of the sleeve portions and the second section includes the second member of the body portion and the second members of the sleeve portions.

16. The athletic jersey according to claim 9, further comprising a neck band secured to the body portion at the neck opening; and wherein the neck band includes first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the neck band on opposed sides of the neck opening along the connection plane.

17. An athletic jersey comprising, in combination:

a body portion having a neck opening at an upper end, a waist opening at a lower end, and opposed arm openings at lateral sides;

a neck band secured to the body portion at the neck opening;

wherein the athletic jersey includes a first section and a separate second section secured the first section by a plurality of sewn seams along a connection plane;

wherein the first section comprises a front half of the body portion, and the neck band, and the second section comprises a back half of the body portion, and the neck band;

wherein the body portion includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams include a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the body portion on opposed sides of the body portion along the connection plane;

wherein the neck band includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the neck band on opposed sides of the neck opening along the connection plane; and

wherein the first section forms a first field having first team indicia and the second section forms a second field having second team indicia.

18. The athletic jersey according to claim 17, wherein the connecting plane is centrally located along the body portion, and the neck band in the forward/rearward direction.

19. The athletic jersey according to claim 17, further comprising a pair of sleeve portions secured to the body portion at the arm openings, and wherein each of the sleeve portions includes separate first and second members and the plurality of sewn seams includes a pair of sewn seams connecting the first and second members of the sleeve portions on top and bottom sides of the sleeve portions along the connection plane.

20. The athletic jersey according to claim 17, wherein the first team indicia is of a first athletic team and the second team indicia is of a second athletic team, and wherein the first team indicia includes first colors of the first athletic team and the second team indicia includes colors of the second athletic team which are different than the colors of the first athletic team.