Florida A&M Athletics and NIKE, Team Up for Six-Year Partnership
Florida A&M University Athletics announces a six-year partnership with NIKE, Inc. to make Nike its official athletic footwear, apparel and equipment provider. Beginning July 1, 2021, Nike will supply Florida A&M Athletics with footwear, uniforms and apparel, extending a relationship that began more than 20 years ago.
The FAMU men and womenβs basketball teams will be outfitted in LeBron James signature-branded uniforms, apparel and footwear, including colorways designed specifically for the university.
"Nike has long supported Florida A&M Athletics, and Iβm committed to lifting up HBCUβs, so I was happy I rocked a pair of the PEs in-game and showcased a piece of whatβs to come for the menβs and womenβs basketball programs,β says James about the shoes he wore during his March 2 home game.
The partnership expands Nikeβs focus in deepening its relationships with HBCUs, working together with schools who share a long legacy in developing the next generation of global changemakers. NIKE, Inc. will also support Florida A&M Athleticsβ student-athlete development programs, offer internships and coordinate networking opportunities for Florida A&M students.
βFlorida A&M has a rich tradition of excellence on the court and field, which not only includes athletic success, but equally important in academics, preparation for future careers and community engagement,β says Sonja Henning, Nikeβs VP of League Partnerships for North America. βThrough our continued relationship with Florida A&M Athletics, weβll have the opportunity to partner with some of the countryβs preeminent student-athletes and the next generation of leaders.β
As part of Nikeβs commitment to diversity and inclusion, Nike increased its HBCU hires from 8 percent in 2019 to 18 percent in 2020 through new partnerships with organizations that include the National Black MBA Association and Reaching Out MBA.