Part of Major League Soccer and adidas’ “Community Kit” launches, the Rave Green’s design celebrates the life and career of Seattle-born legend Jimi Hendrix
Seattle Sounders FC has unveiled its new secondary kit for the 2021-2022 Major League Soccer seasons, a vibrant and original design paying homage to legendary musical artist and Seattle native Jimi Hendrix. Officially dubbed The Jimi Hendrix Kit, the dynamic purple, orange and yellow uniform was inspired by Hendrix’s love of color and psychedelic patterns.
The design is part of MLS and adidas’ “Community Kit” line, introduced this season to allow clubs the opportunity to create secondary kits rooted in individual meaning for each team. The Jimi Hendrix Kit was conceived as a way for Sounders FC to not only honor Hendrix and his place as a Seattle icon, but, on a larger scale, to recognize and celebrate the meaningful principles of peace, love and giving for which Hendrix stood.
“We couldn’t be more excited and proud to finally introduce The Jimi Hendrix Kit to the world; a true intersection of sports, music and pop culture,” says Sounders FC Owner and President of Business Operations Peter Tomozawa. “Jimi’s legacy looms large, not just here in Seattle where he was born and raised, or for the Sounders, where his iconic rendition of ‘All Along the Watchtower’ has been a part of matchday tradition for years, but across the entire world. In his short life, Jimi gifted us with his talent, and, even more so, with his generous and loving spirit. We wanted this kit to embody that colorful, creative personality, while also using it as a way to further good, just as Jimi used his own platform.”
The Jimi Hendrix Kit also has purpose beyond the pitch. Sounders FC is partnering with recently announced club partner, the Puyallup Tribe’s Emerald Queen Casino to donate proceeds up to $50,000 from the first 30 days of The Jimi Hendrix Kit’s sales made at official team Pro Shop locations and on MLSstore.com to five local nonprofits: The Jimi Hendrix Park Foundation, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM), RAVE Foundation and the Tacoma Public Schools Indian Education Program.
These selected nonprofits will intentionally use the funds for one or more of the following purposes, in alignment with Sounders FC’s Social Justice Framework: to empower local BIPOC youth; to provide access to sports, art and music for local BIPOC youth; and to honor the legacy of Jimi Hendrix. Through these donations and continued collaboration with the nonprofits, Sounders FC will ensure that The Jimi Hendrix Kit serves a larger purpose.
“Seattle was and always will be Jimi’s home. The Sounders are Seattle’s own, as well,” states Janie Hendrix, President & CEO of Experience Hendrix, LLC. “Collaborating with the Sounders to create a jersey is our way of playing for the home team. We’re celebrating two local heroes and at the same time supporting a cause that unifies. Jimi was all about honoring the place you come from. This venture allows us to give back to the community he loved. That’s something I think would make Jimi proud.”
The kit itself is one of the most unique designs Sounders FC has ever showcased, standing out even at first glance, but then replete with distinctive detailing on closer inspection. The primary purple color is accented with bright orange and yellow and features a swirling, psychedelic pattern – a nod to Hendrix’s affinity for vivid colors and patterns, highlighted on his album covers and through his personal style.
A reproduction of Hendrix’s authentic signature is stamped on the bottom left corner of each jersey front, and the neck tape features lyrics from his “Straight Ahead,”reproduced from his own handwritten copy of the song. The line reads, “We got to stand, side by side,” and signifies Sounders FC’s belief in the importance of coming together, both on the pitch as supporters, fans, players and coaches stand together on matchdays, but also in the community and as citizens of the wider world.
The right jersey sleeve features the logo of the Puyallup Tribe, an original steward of land throughout what is now known as the Puget Sound. The tribe and its Emerald Queen Casino recently signed a multi-year partnership with the Rave Green.
“We’re thrilled to kick off our partnership with Sounders FC with our logo on this special kit. We love giving back to the community, and this jersey will help support those efforts,” adds Puyallup Tribal Chairman Bill Sterud. “The logo isn’t just a fish; it’s a salmon and it represents our salmon relatives that we fight every day to protect. We are proud that it is featured on the Sounders’ uniforms.”
Zulily remains Sounders FC’s jersey partner, entering the third year of a partnership that has seen the club reach the MLS Cup Final in both 2019 and 2020, claiming victory in 2019 at home in front of a record-setting crowd at Lumen Field.
The club has collaborated with Seattle-based rock-n-roll artists The Black Tones during the launch of The Hendrix Kit. The band was heavily influenced by Hendrix as they grew up in Seattle, and performs “All Along the Watchtower” in the jersey’s launch video. As a Black musical duo, The Black Tones further share their story and how Hendrix has played a role in their art in an exclusive mini-documentary.
The Jimi Hendrix Kit is now available for purchase at Sounders FC Pro Shop locations and at MLSstore.com. The first 100 Sounders FC Season Members to purchase one of the jerseys at the Lumen Field Pro Shop will also receive a free, limited-edition Jimi Hendrix Signature Scarf. The scarf features the same bold colors seen throughout the kit, with a pattern inspired by the guitar strap Hendrix wore at his famous 1969 Woodstock performance. The scarf also features his replicated signature and the same lyrics from “Straight Ahead” that are featured on the jersey neck tape.
A scarf with the same design, but without Hendrix’s signature, will also be available for purchase at the Lumen Field Pro Shop in limited quantities while supplies last.
Additionally, fans visiting the Lumen Field Pro Shop through Sunday, March 28th, have the opportunity to take a photo in front of a Jimi Hendrix backdrop.
⬥ The Jimi Hendrix Kit ⬥
Inspired by a matchday tradition, honoring a Seattle icon. pic.twitter.com/DNJUGCWDIn
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) March 25, 2021
