Ad Features Marvin Gaye’s Legendary
Rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”
As the USA Basketball Men’s National Team
continues on its quest to reclaim hoops supremacy in international
competition in Beijing, Nike (NYSE:NKE) is set to release a new
commercial spot that captures the essence of the team’s
selfless play and commitment to the squad’s
ultimate goal, Olympic gold.
Set to the score of Marvin Gaye’s memorable
performance of “The Star Spangled Banner”
at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, the spot takes viewers
into a USA Basketball team practice and showcases the collection of
star-studded athletes taking part in basketball drills and scrimmages
and ultimately uniting as one team.
“This select group of players are putting
aside individual recognition and instead placing their trust in the US
colors and each other," said Joaquin Hidalgo, Nike Vice President of
Global Brand Marketing. "The story we've created illustrates their
commitment to this team, to winning, and representing their country in
Beijing."
Featuring NIKE, Inc. athletes such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jason
Kidd, Carmelo Anthony (Jordan Brand), Chris Paul (Jordan Brand) and
Dwyane Wade (Converse), along with actual footage of Marvin Gaye’s
performance of the National Anthem, a two and a half minute version of
the commercial will air on August 5, following the final episode of “Road
To Redemption presented by NIKE” on ESPN2.
In addition to the two and a half minute commercial, a 60-second and
30-second version of the ad will begin airing nationally August 8. All
versions of the commercial will also be available for viewing at www.nikebasketball.com.
The ads were developed with Wieden+Kennedy Portland.
Outfitting Team USA
For the Beijing Games, The USA National Basketball teams will wear a new
Nike designed basketball uniform that eliminates 25 centimeters of
material and reduces the weight by 31 percent when compared with current
uniforms. Nike’s new uniform also features
Nike Aerographics, an engineered mesh providing zoned cooling that
reduces up to half the yarn, making it more lightweight and breathable.
An exclusively designed “We the People”
graphic, inspired by USA’s rich history, is
also integrated into the uniform.
In addition to The USA squad’s uniform
design, several members of USA Men’s National
Team, including Kobe Bryant will wear the new USA Nike Hyperdunk
colorway. The Nike Hyperdunk is 18 percent lighter than the average Nike
basketball shoe and is the lightest and strongest basketball shoe Nike
has ever created. The Nike Hyperdunk, which features Flywire technology,
is currently available at retail for a suggested price of $110.
Media can visit www.nikemedia.com
for more information on all of Nike’s
innovative products for Beijing as well as information on Nike’s
basketball athletes.
About Nike
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; Cole Haan Holdings Incorporated, which designs, markets
and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro
Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and
Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action
sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more
information visit www.nikebiz.com.
USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Basketball is a non-profit
organization and the national governing body for men's and women's
basketball in the United States, as recognized by the International
Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC). USA Basketball is responsible for selecting, training and
fielding USA national teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international
basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions. In
addition to overseeing the national team programs, USA Basketball
sanctions U.S. basketball team tours of foreign countries and foreign
basketball team tours of the U.S.; licenses players to play
professionally overseas; and oversees the certification of FIBA and USA
Basketball officials and the assignment of certified FIBA and USA
Basketball officials to international competitions. For more information
visit www.usabasketball.com.
NIKE, Inc.
New York Media Relations, 212-367-4447
