While we do not yet know the all of the details of FAMU’s new six-year partnership with Nike and LeBron James, the media buzz surrounding the announcement for the moment could be a Deion Sanders neutralizer.
FAMU enjoyed two full days of unprecedented positive media attention, not seen since it was named Time Magazine/Princeton Review College of the Year in 1997.
On Tuesday night, James showed up to the Lakers game versus the Suns game carrying a new pair of specially designed FAMU sneakers that he wore in the game. Few knew, then, what he had up his selves.
Most probably thought the mega star was paying homage to the HBCU world, like he, Chris Paul, and others have done so often. But it was more to it. He was a foreshadowing a huge, game-changing announcement that would influence the future and marketability of FAMU, and FAMU athletics.
By Thursday, Nike and James again shocked the world by announcing a new multi-year partnership that would make the FAMU the first university to have its sports teams don LeBron James-branded apparel.
When asked about the partnership James had this to say, “Nike has long supported Florida A&M athletics, and I’m committed to uplifting HBCUs, so I was happy I rocked a pair of the PEs in-game and showcased a glimpse of what’s to come for the men’s and women’s basketball programs.”
The deal will include footwear designed specifically for the university.
The Rattlers have a rich tradition of excellence in athletics and academics, and you know the age-old saying, “if you look good, you play good,” he added.
In the past month, the Lakers star has been busy on the court carrying his NBA team, and off the court executing major social justice power moves. He facilitated WNBA activist Renee Montgomery‘s elevation to part-owner of the Atlanta Dream, after forcing out former GOP-Senator Kelly Loeffler and her BLM attacks.
Incidentally, FAMU grad G. Scott Uzzell is president and CEO of Converse, Inc., also a part of the NIKE family.
While James has always made education a priority in terms of using his platform to influence change off the floor. His I Promise School in Akron has had tremendous success.
Now, Nike and LeBron are preparing to leave their stamp on FAMU in support of HBCUs. If played right, FAMU could reap benefits from this partnership well beyond the gridiron, diamond, track and field, and, of course, the basketball courts.
