The iconic sportswear company and lacrosse league are looking to break down barriers in sport and inspire a new dream amongst young athletes.
32 years ago, Champion signed an apparel deal with the NBA as the official supplier of jerseys and practice wear. For a whole generation of hoop dreamers, the embroidered “C” logo became synonymous with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Grant Hill. Kids around the world imitated these aspirational athletes by practicing their jump shots in the driveway.
Today, Champion looks to inspire a generation of athletes with a new dream: to play professional lacrosse.
Partnering with Premier Lacrosse League, Champion will now outfit the next generation of lax stars on the field. This news follows the two parties partnering in 2021 for a sideline apparel deal.
In the introductory clip, PLL phenom Myles Jones tells the tale of his own basketball beginnings and eventual lacrosse ascent. At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, the amazing athlete could’ve caught the eye of NBA scouts based on his agility and size alone. Instead, he paved his own path out on the field, forging a way for himself and others through professional lacrosse.
Much like kids looked up to Kobe and Mike, mimicking their moves and practicing in their apparel, Champion will produce all on-field uniforms as well as replica jerseys. Fittingly, the partnership will be integrated into the Premier Lacrosse League’s youth programs for a touch of added inspiration.
However, this deal is bigger than just jerseys.
As part of their five-year pact, PLL and Champion aim to promote diversity and inclusion in the game of lacrosse. Philanthropy is key as lacrosse equipment is often expensive and a barrier to entry. Because of this, the two parties will create camps that provide both gear and skill training. The backing for much of this comes from Hanes, the parent company of Champion, as well as Ticketmaster, which powers the league’s ticketing operations.
Champion sideline gear is available now on the Premier Lacrosse League’s official website, while practice jerseys and replica jerseys made by Adidas from the 2020 season have been discounted. Stay tuned for the official reveal of Champion’s uniforms closer to the start of the 2022 campaign in June.
Look for Jones to be ripping goals in Champion gear sooner rather than later.
Missed PLL co-founder Paul Rabil with Rich Kleiman on Boardroom’s “Out of Office” podcast? Click here to listen and download.
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