The Sports Posters That Ruled Our Walls in the ’80s and Early ’90s

rhett80
Jan 11
5 min read

Some sports posters didn’t just decorate walls — they defined an era. The 1980s and early 1990s produced unforgettable images that blended athletic dominance, attitude, and the rise of brand power. These posters became shorthand for greatness, swagger, and identity.

Before highlight reels lived in your pocket and social media told you what to like, sports fandom was personal. It lived on your bedroom wall. And in the ’80s and early ’90s, the posters you chose said everything about who you rooted for, how you played, and who you wanted to be.

These weren’t just posters — they were declarations. And decades later, they still hit.

Nike Posters: When Attitude Beat Everything

Nike didn’t just make posters. Nike made statements.

“Stickball” felt raw and real, like sports belonged to the streets as much as the stadiums. This is my all-time favorite sports poster, and I’m not sure it’s even close. Two of the biggest stars in a back alley in New York City. The Brooklyn Bridge and one of the Twin Towers looming in the background. Action and stillness captured in a single frame, telling a story more compelling to a young baseball fan than any box score. And once you see the dog stretched out on the cobblestone street, enjoying the afternoon, you can’t unsee it. Poster perfection.

“Black and Blue” wasn’t subtle — and it wasn’t supposed to be. It told you flat-out that sports were about toughness, pain, and intimidation. Bo Jackson was somehow the most intimidating athlete in both baseball and football at the same time, a feat we will likely never see again. The split locker — Raiders on one side, Royals on the other — is pure art. The title is fire. The imagery is relentless. Bo knew posters. Nike knew Bo.

Michael Jordan Poster 1985 Slam Dunk Contest

Then there was that Jordan dunk. You know the one. Mid-air, legs split, gravity optional. That image from the 1985 Slam Dunk Contest didn’t just define Michael Jordan — it redefined what a sports poster could be. Everyone remembers where they were when they watched it. That single image sold me, and decades later I’m still wearing Jordans because of it.

Nike “The Judge” (Lester Hayes) leaned all the way into swagger. Hayes wasn’t just a cornerback — he was an enforcer. To appreciate this poster, you have to understand Lester Hayes. The original lockdown corner. Stickum or not, it didn’t matter. He embodied everything it meant to be an Oakland Raider. The stance. The confidence. The silent challenge daring anyone to try him. The grass may have been greener on the other side, but nobody ever got past him. This poster gives him the respect he deserves.

Costacos Brothers: Peak ’80s Sports Energy

If Nike was attitude, Costacos Brothers were pure dominance.

“The Land of Boz” was ridiculous in the best possible way. Brian Bosworth wasn’t just a football player — he was a walking headline. The poster captured everything over-the-top about the era, which is exactly why it worked… until Bo Jackson planted the flag during that Monday night game in the Kingdome and conquered the Land of Boz for good. It was fun while it lasted. He’s the sheriff in Fansville now, so it all worked out.

The Bash Brothers poster was Costacos excess at its finest. Baseball players didn’t get bigger — literally or figuratively — than José Canseco in the late ’80s. He and Mark McGwire were like Ponch and Jon of Northern California. It’s a beautiful image that captured exactly what McGwire, Canseco, and the A’s were selling at the time: we have big bats, and we cannot lie.

“Chicago Vice” is the best Costacos Brothers poster ever, in my opinion. It took the cool of South Florida, the energy of Crockett and Tubbs, and the hottest show on television, and gave it a Chicago Bears spin. The teal undershirt under a white suit for the funky QB known as Jim McMahon. Walter Payton in a perfectly tailored suit. The exotic sports car. The Uzi. McMahon with no socks. Every detail hits. This is everything sports posters wanted to be when they grew up. Well done, Costacos Brothers.

“Armed and Dangerous” featuring Dan Marino has aged better than almost any poster from the era — starting and ending with the Zubaz pants. The ’80s gave us many questionable fashion choices, but Zubaz belongs near the top of any sports fan list. Don’t sleep on the Pony shoes or the classic Dolphins logo, either. The teal Corvette, palm trees, and sunset provide the perfect backdrop for Miami’s quarterback. Marino may not have gotten the laces out — and Ray Finkel may still hold it against him — but this poster fits the ’80s like a pair of Isotoner gloves.

Sports Illustrated Posters: Official Business

Sports Illustrated posters were different. Black and white. In action. Serious. They felt important — almost museum-like.

Marcus Allen’s SI poster wasn’t flashy, but it didn’t need to be. Allen made running the ball look effortless, and being cool as a Raiders running back came just as naturally. Raiders fans were robbed of seeing images like this for an entire career. Allen will always be a Raider to me, and this poster is how I’ll always remember him.

Roger Staubach’s SI poster felt like history on your wall. Leadership. Legacy. The kind of player your dad wanted you to appreciate — and eventually, you did. This is the best Sports Illustrated poster ever printed. The blue jersey. Iconic number 12. Two-bar facemask. That unmistakable stance. Playing the Rams under the California sun. No other poster comes close.

When the Product Was the Star

Some posters weren’t just about the athlete — they were about the gear.

Rickey Henderson 119 and Counting Poster

Rickey Henderson’s Mizuno poster made speed look like science. Precision. Innovation. Record-setting excellence — just like Rickey himself. “119 and Counting” at the bottom let you know he was only getting started. Rickey loved Rickey, and honestly, who wouldn’t? The Mizuno shoes slung over his shoulder, soles on fire, made the message clear: he’s fast, and the shoes are why.

Don Mattingly’s “Hit Man” poster was strange, confusing, and absolutely great. The imagery is outstanding. The subject is the quintessential New York Yankee. The bullet-riddled title. The serious, almost provocative look — like something out of Scarface. The guitar case full of baseballs. The line “every time he makes a hit.” Is it a sports poster? A music poster? A mob movie one-sheet? Doesn’t matter. It’s Don Mattingly. It’s the Yankees. And it’s a reminder that he belongs in the Hall of Fame.