Nike Creates Limited Edition 'Don't Tread' Uniform for U.S. Soccer Send-Off Game This Sunday

BEAVERTON, Ore., May 25  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On Sunday, May 28, Nike will present the players of the U.S. Soccer Federation with a Limited Edition Don't Tread On Me uniform to mark the team's final send-off match before leaving for Germany. 

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Players from U.S. Soccer have never been presented with a one-time-only uniform to commemorate a special occasion such as this. U.S. Soccer fans will be able to show their support for the team by purchasing one of the 2,006 Limited Edition Don't Tread on Me jerseys (SRP: $75) at soccer specialty stores and online at http://www.soccer.com/ (home of Eurosport) and http://www.ussoccer.com/ (home of U.S. Soccer) beginning May 28.

The players will be presented with the new uniforms this weekend in time for their Sunday match. Borrowing from a jersey that U.S. Soccer players wore in the 1950's, the red jersey features a diagonal sash across the chest in blue and white. The players' numbers sit below the sash on their right. Over the heart rests a U.S. Soccer crest reminiscent of that same 1950's era. On the left sleeve is the Don't Tread On Me mark with a snake coiled around a soccer ball, connecting the players wearing it on the field with the fans who back U.S. Soccer with the Don't Tread rally cry.

Nike introduced the Don't Tread On Me campaign in the fall of 2005. It was designed to give U.S. Soccer fans a unifying rally cry and a mark they could use to celebrate their team. It began with the unveiling of a giant banner bearing the Don't Tread On Me crest at a U.S. Soccer game last October. It was carried through different applications digitally throughout the fall. Then in December, U.S. Soccer standout Clint Dempsey gave it a new dimension when he performed and recorded a rap song he produced titled "Don't Tread." Answering the call for new ways to celebrate the team, Nike introduced hoodies, jackets and tees bearing the Don't Tread On Me look.

At the game on Sunday, Nike will distribute 30,000 red Don't Tread On Me rally towels bearing the snake and ball mark. All fans attending the game are encouraged to wear red to the game to celebrate the U.S. Soccer team's final game in the U.S. before leaving for Germany on June 1.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.  Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; NIKE Bauer Hockey, Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan, a leading designer and marketer of luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel. 

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DATASOURCE: NIKE, Inc.



CONTACT:  Nike Media Relations, [phone]



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