Nike Soccer Legend Ronaldinho to Unveil Global Signature Collection

The Ronaldinho Signature Collection, Nike's first signature soccer compilation, reflects the legendary Brazilian's insight on and off the pitch in both footwear and equipment 


BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 16  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nike soccer legend Ronaldinho will launch a signature soccer collection, the first for him and the brand, at a global event in Barcelona, Spain today with family and friends on hand for the celebration. Ronaldinho's signature collection is Nike's first signature line ever introduced with a soccer athlete, joining the ranks of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and LeBron James to have his own signature product line with the brand. 

  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO
           http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061116/SFTH074-a
           http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061116/SFTH074-b )


The Ronaldinho signature collection in the U.S. includes a new boot, the Tiempo Ronaldinho, as well as state of the art equipment including a ball, shin guards and a sport inspired bag. The Tiempo Ronaldinho reflects personal insight from Ronaldinho's futsal past and his current style of play -- as richly crafted, refined and elegant as its namesake's football skills.

In tribute to Ronaldinho's personality both on and off the field, the iconography and visual design of the collection reflects his rich and fabled story. Tri-colored stitching represents Ronaldinho's three major passions in life:  Yellow for family, sun, and Brazil; Orange for samba, spice, and food; and Red for the passion and joy he feels for life and soccer. Gold outlines the "10" and stylized "R" that mimics the start of his own signature. According to Ronaldinho, "Everything I know, everything I have, I owe to my family. I play with music in my head ... as long as there is a ball, I am happy."

Nike Designer Tetsuya Thomas Minami, although born in the United States, lived in his family's home town of Osaka, Japan since the age of one. His lifelong passion for the game both on and off the pitch allowed him the opportunity to play on many levels. He moved back to the U.S. to study Industrial Design at Cal State University while playing on the university's soccer team in 1999. Since joining Nike, and in addition to designing the Tiempo Ronaldinho footwear collection, Minami has worked on additional football products such as the successful Mercurial Vapor collection, the Air Zoom Control II and the Nike First Touch II.

Ronaldinho is a two-time FIFA Player of the Year and is currently in his fourth season with defending European League Champion FC Barcelona. FC Barcelona recently extended its long-term relationship with Nike and is considered one of the world's best and most popular football clubs.

  IMAGERY:               Images of the Ronaldinho signature collection and
                          still shots from Thursday's media launch in
                          Barcelona will be available on Thursday 11/16 at
                          1pm EST.

                          Two locations to find still imagery are at:
                          http://www.lastlap.com/10R OR http://www.media.nikefootball.com/
  EVENT
  B-ROLL:                Broadcast footage includes content from the media
                          launch in Barcelona, as well as interviews with
                          Ronaldinho speaking about the new collection and
                          b-roll of Ronaldinho on the pitch.

                          SATELLITE INFORMATION: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2006
                          6:30 - 6:45 PM (EASTERN) IA 6 / Transponder 11
                          (C-Band)
                          Downlink Frequency: 3920 Vertical
                          Audio 6.2 / 6.8


  CONTACT:               Morgan Shaw, Nike Media Relations
                          212-328-3470 or 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061116/SFTH074-a

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061116/SFTH074-b

http://photoarchive.ap.org/

DATASOURCE: Nike



CONTACT:  Morgan Shaw, Nike PR, [phone], or 



Web site:  http://www.nikebiz.com/ 

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