Florida A&M University has long been heralded as one of the nation’s HBCUs, with the Rattlers establishing both a historied tradition of academic and on-field success. The Tallahassee-based college is slated to further their athletic mission through a six-year partnership with Nike, who will sponsor all footwear, uniforms, and apparel.
The partnership is Nike’s latest step towards prioritizing diversity and inclusion. Significant details about the D&I effort include Lebron James’ sponsored apparel for the Men’s and Women’s basketball team, along with student-athlete development programs and internship and networking opportunities for students.
“Florida 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,” says Sonja Henning, Nike’s VP of League Partnerships for North America. “Through our continued relationship with Florida A&M Athletics, we’ll have the opportunity to partner with some of the country’s preeminent student-athletes and the next generation of leaders.”
-Nike Press 2021
Look for Nike to continue partnering with HBCU athletic programs across the country, as indicated by the Oregon sportswear brand’s focus towards increasing their HBCU hiring practices from 8% in 2019 to 18% in 2020.
Check out the Lebron 18 Low “FAMU” signature sneaker below.
