The Seattle Sounders have unveiled a new secondary kit for the 2021 and 2022 MLS seasons, drawing inspiration from legendary musical artist and Seattle native Jimi Hendrix.
The jersey is dubbed “The Jimi Hendrix Kit,” combining purple, orange and yellow as an homage to Hendrix’s love of color and psychedelic patterns. The design is part of the “Community Kit” line.
“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,” Sounders FC owner and president of business operations Peter Tomozawa said in a release. “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.”
On the bottom left corner of each jersey front, a reproduction of Hendrix’s authentic signature is stamped. The neck tape features lyrics from his “Straight Ahead” song that read “We go to stand, side by side” and signifies Seattle’s belief in the importance of coming together.
Zulily remains Sounders FC’s lead jersey partner, while the right jersey sleeve features the logo of the Puyallup Tribe as part of a newly-announced partnership. As part of the partnership, the Sounders will be donating 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.
“Seattle was and always will be Jimi’s home. The Sounders are Seattle’s own, as well,” Janie Hendrix, president & CEO of Experience Hendrix, LLC, said in a release. “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.”
