O’Shea Jackson Jr. roasts Thunder championship hat, fans slam design [PHOTO]
O’Shea Jackson Jr. Clowned The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Championship Hat on X
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s first NBA championship should’ve been a moment of pure celebration. After defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Thunder fans had every reason to rejoice. But just as the confetti settled, controversy emerged—not about the game, but about the team’s official championship hat.
Seventeen years have passed since the Thunder franchise relocated from Seattle. This 2025 run marked the Thunder’s second trip to the NBA Finals since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008. As a result, this 2025 championship marks their first title in the city. However, instead of celebrating the Thunder’s title run, fans are laughing at OKC’s championship hat, alongside O’Shea Jackson, Jr.
Fans Rip Thunder 2025 NBA Championship Hat
Within hours of the Thunder’s victory last night, fans flooded social media, voicing their frustration with the design of the Thunder 2025 NBA championship hat. Leading the charge was O’Shea Jackson Jr.—Ice Cube’s son and a respected rapper in his own right—who posted on X (formerly Twitter), “YO WHAT IS UP WITH THE NBA BRO,” alongside a photo of the hat.
The hat in question featured a plain black design with the Thunder logo and the word “Champions” in script, followed by the inscription “2024/2025.” Whether this was a misprint or simply a design choice, it sparked confusion and ridicule. Some viewers misread the hat as saying “2027-2025,” suggesting a reverse timeline, though official merchandise listings do not confirm such an error.
Fan Frustration Runs Deep
Criticism didn’t stop with O’Shea Jackson Jr. Reddit threads like r/nba and r/denvernuggets lit up with comments calling the hat “weak,” “uninspired,” and “something you’d find at a gas station.” One viral Reddit post titled “This is the worst NBA finals hat I’ve ever seen” joked that it looked like a future garage sale item.
On Facebook and X, fans took aim at the NBA’s merchandising partner, Fanatics, with one post saying, “They made this in someone’s garage. 90s NBA hats had SOUL.”
A Larger Problem: NBA Merchandise Under Fire
While this championship hat may be the latest flashpoint, the backlash ties into a broader narrative. Since Fanatics took over NBA replica jersey manufacturing and merchandising in 2017, fans have reported a sharp decline in quality.
On Trustpilot, Fanatics holds a poor reputation, with reviews citing peeling numbers, tight sleeves, incorrect orders, and poor refund policies. One reviewer said, “I spent $140 on a custom jersey that was completely unwearable—and non-refundable.”
On Reddit, users have complained about delayed orders, misprints, and even items arriving damaged. One user shared that they received a burnt NFL jersey and had to wait months for a replacement. Another claimed they never received their order at all, calling Fanatics “completely incompetent.”
In response to the backlash, Fanatics and their CEO have publicly spoken on the MLB complaints and made adjustments.
The Thunder Hat and the Fanatics Factor
The Thunder’s championship hat appears to reflect these long-standing quality concerns. Compared unfavorably to the iconic, era-defining designs of the 1990s—like those made by Starter or New Era during the Chicago Bulls dynasty—today’s hats are often described as sterile or mass-produced.
The Thunder hat, which should have been a celebratory keepsake, is now being labeled as “cheap,” “forgettable,” and “poorly executed.” While official product listings on the OKC Thunder Shop and Fanatics’ site describe the hat as featuring the “2025 NBA Champions” patch, the version circulating in O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s post sparked confusion and mockery.
Is There a Misprint?
Though some fans claimed to see “Champions 2027-2025” on the hat, official merchandise does not support this. Additionally, the hat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is wearing in the photo doesn’t say “2027-2025.” The most likely explanation is a design choice that includes “2024/2025” to indicate the season. Even so, the visual execution failed to convey that clearly to the average viewer.
The issue, then, may not be a typo—but rather poor design, weak branding, and tone-deaf execution. Fans expect championship memorabilia to reflect the gravity of the moment. Instead, they got a hat many say looks like a rushed afterthought.
Context Matters: The Thunder’s Historic Win
The backlash is especially unfortunate given the historical weight of OKC’s win. This marks the Thunder’s first NBA championship since the franchise relocated from Seattle in 2008. After years of rebuilding and playoff heartbreak, this win should’ve been a defining moment.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, the Thunder’s 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of remarkable. Their Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers capped off a dominant season. But rather than focusing on the win, fans are fixated on the hat—a sign of just how much design matters.
NBA, Fanatics, and the Business of Merch
Fanatics’ business model emphasizes speed and volume, producing merch rapidly to capitalize on real-time fan interest. But this model, critics argue, sacrifices quality and long-term value. As O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s post shows, fans want merch that feels premium, personal, and memorable—not something that feels disposable.
This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about branding, fandom, and respect for the sport. When championship gear misses the mark, it undermines the celebration.
Final Thoughts: Time for a Rethink?
As social media continues to drag the 2025 championship hat, the NBA and Fanatics may need to reevaluate how they approach merchandise design. Fan backlash isn’t just noise—it’s a signal. With fans yearning for quality, nostalgia, and authenticity, the league must ask: are they giving fans something worth wearing, or just something to sell?
The Thunder’s historic win deserves a hat that matches its importance. Right now, fans are saying: this ain’t it.
While the jokes about the hat have been fun for fans to participate in, the facts are also important. There are jokes about this title hat, the hat clearly reads: “Champions 2024/2025.” As a result, all of the jokes are not rooted in accuracy. That means the jokes about Fanatics could potentially cause harm to their company, when the product is actually legit.