In 2015, Michigan became the first college athletics program outfitted by Jordan Brand. It was a big deal at the time. In addition to the novelty of seeing the leaping Jumpman logo on football uniforms, you had Michigan aligning its brand with that of a singular individual. They were a subset within a subset, one of one.
That novelty has since worn off a bit. North Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida and now UCLA have since sewn the Jumpman into their jerseys, and now Michael Jordan won't be the only athlete with his logo spread across a college athletics department.
On Thursday, Florida A&M announced it has reached a deal with Nike that will see LeBron James's logo splashed across all official Rattlers gear.
Beginning July 1, Nike/LeBron will be the official apparel, footwear and equipment provider for all 14 Rattlers teams and the Marching 100. "Florida A&M's sports teams will be outfitted in LeBron James uniforms, apparel and footwear, including footwear designed specifically for the university, as part of this relationship," the release said.
The move comes at an opportune time for FAMU, as the university transitions from MEAC membership to the SWAC. The school will now join their league as the official athletics department of the most iconic active athlete in North America, if not the entire world.
In addition to free gear for the school's athletes, Nike will also provide career opportunities for Florida A&M students in the form of networking opportunities, internships and networking.
"Florida A&M has a rich tradition of excellence on the court and field, which not only includes athletic success but equally important is academics, preparation for future careers and community engagement," Nike VP of league partnerships Sonja Henning. "Through our continued relationship with Florida A&M Athletics, we’ll have the opportunity to partner with some of the country’s preeminent student-athletes and the next generation of leaders."
Yeah, yeah, internships are nice, but when are we getting a peek at some new football uniforms? I asked Florida A&M and will let you know when we hear back.