Global uniform maker swooshes in to make uniforms for Sacramento Republic FC

Sacramento’s professional soccer franchise Republic FC furthered its penchant for going big Saturday by unveiling new uniforms created by the world’s largest sports apparel makers, Nike.

Nike, a market leader in athletic footwear and apparel, makes uniforms for many of the world’s more recognizable sports franchises, including European soccer’s FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.

“Nike is a recognized leader in sports and we are honored to have a relationship with such a game-changing brand,” said Republic FC President Warren Smith. “We are proud to wear the Nike swoosh and the values it embodies of innovation and inspiration both on and off the pitch.”

The unveiling had the panache of an Apple product launch with a slick video painting Sacramento as a city on the rise and then jersey-clad Sacramento Ballet performers taking the stage to violin music from Joe Kye. The afternoon event concluded with several players taking the stage followed by dozens of younger academy players.

The home uniform for 2016 features two tones of the club’s dominant Old Glory Red with subtle graphics and the official partner, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, across the chest. The away uniform is white with subtle gray accents. Republic FC’s existing uniform features a maroon, white and gold color scheme with UC Davis Children’s Hospital high on the front. The team logo is over the left breast.

The club, which plays its matches at Bonney Field at Cal Expo, won the USL championship in 2014. The club is seeking to elevate itself to the upper ranks of American professional soccer and has plans for a privately financed stadium within the city’s rail yard redevelopment area.

Nike supplies uniforms to an array of U.S. teams and is an official sponsor of the USL. Republic FC, under the agreement, becomes the seventh franchise in the USL to wear Nike in the 2016 season. The U.S. men’s and women’s national teams also wear Nike.

This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Global uniform maker swooshes in to make uniforms for Sacramento Republic FC."