Photo courtesy: @famuathletics
Back in March, NBA star LeBron James and Nike announced a six-year deal with Florida A&M athletics. Despite the fact that FAMU has been a Nike-sponsored institution for more than two decades, this partnership renewal is significant in that it is the first time that Nike has used a non-Jordan brand signature athlete’s motif on a college athletic uniform.
The LeBron James signature crown logo will be featured on all of the Rattlers’ athletic and marching band apparel as part of the agreement. FAMU is the first collegiate team to wear the James logo.
The new jerseys were unveiled on social media. The photographs from Sunday showcased forward DJ Jones, guard MJ Randolph, and guard Kamron Reaves of the men’s team, as well as Tia Bradshaw and Dylan Horton of the women’s team. They were featured wearing jersey sets with LeBron’s logo and his signature shoes.
Mikyah Mack, a small forward, is excited about this upcoming season as they are set to start their season against Troy University at 7 p.m. Thursday.
“It’s exciting and a great experience to put the jersey on knowing that we are sponsored by LeBron,” Mack said.
The details on the jerseys are “fire emoji.” On the back of the jersey, there is an image of the court in the Lawson Center, the Eternal Flame and the rattler head logo with 1887 under it.
As the first NCAA team to wear LeBron James-branded clothing, the unveiling attracted international attention. Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless’ “Undisputed” program featured it as a topic. Sharpe, a Savannah State University graduate, said he was urging James to fund his university next.
“Black colleges are being more prominent and put into the front because of guys like LeBron and Chris Paul, so this is huge,” Sharpe said during his show.
LeBron James’ retweet of the uniforms accumulated more than 30,000 likes, 4,137 retweets, and 350 comments.
Taylor Allen, a first-year business administration student at FAMU, likes everything about the new uniforms.
“I like the many designs and colors,” Allen said. “I’m happy for both teams, I will definitely be at all the home games,” she added.
The question everyone desperately wants to know is: When will they be available for purchase? The question remains unanswered.
If you are looking forward to seeing the Rattlers play in at home in their new uniforms the men’s team will make its home debut at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 against LeMoyne-Owen College.
After a long road journey, fans will finally be able to see the women’s team in person Dec. 11 when it faces Texas A&M.