The Barclays Premier League will turn (RED)™ this weekend as Nike introduces a special edition (PRODUCT)RED™ ball in all home fixtures across the country to raise awareness of the (NIKE) RED 'Lace Up. Save Lives' partnership.
In a Premier League first, a (NIKE)RED ball will be used in all games over the weekend of March 13th and 14th . And fans of Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A will also see the (NIKE)RED ball used in domestic fixtures on the same weekend to show their support.
In the Barclays Premier League players including Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and Fernando Torres will wear (NIKE)RED laces in their boots during the games to show their support for the 'Lace Up. Save lives' partnership.
The Nike and (RED) partnership invites people to 'Lace Up. Save Lives' by purchasing a pair of (NIKE)RED laces. One hundred percent of the profits from (NIKE)RED laces is split equally between The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which funds AIDS programs that provide medicine, treatment and services for those living with HIV, and football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention.
The (NIKE)RED ball is a specially designed T90 Ascente - the same make of ball currently used in the Barclays Premier League and boasts all of the technological innovations that the players are accustomed to week in week out, but features the (RED) laces graphic on the exterior. These (NIKE)RED balls are available to buy now for £150 from www.nikestore.com .
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "The (NIKE)RED 'Lace Up. Save lives' is a fantastic initiative that helps a lot of people and the special edition ball is an exciting way to highlight this. It is a very dynamic ball that grabs your attention. The players here at Arsenal love it."
Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said: "The Premier League has enormous global appeal and we are committed to using our reach to raise awareness of this partnership between, Nike, one of our longest serving commercial partners, and (RED). A red ball and red laces are simple ideas, but sometimes those are the best - the hope is that the profile given through this and the money raised through 'Lace Up, Save Lives' will provide significant impetus and funding to the Global Fund's activities to aid the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Football has a particular resonance in Africa, especially the Barclays Premier League, and our support for this campaign is part of our wider commitment to coaching, education and other good cause investment right across the continent."
Seb Bishop, International CEO (RED) says: "(RED) works with the most iconic companies in the world, Nike among them. We are incredibly thankful for their partnership, as well as the support of one of the most iconic football leagues in the world."
"Nike has a history of elevating global causes through sport. Through the power and appeal of football, this campaign not only highlights the HIV/AIDS issue globally, it has also created a great way to raise much needed funds," said Mark Parker, President & CEO of NIKE, Inc.
On November 30th, 2009, the eve of World AIDS Day, Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal), Denilson (Arsenal), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Clint Dempsey (Fulham) and Seol Ki-Hyeon (Fulham) joined U2 front man Bono and Mark Parker at Niketown London to announce the partnership.
The (NIKE)RED Limited Edition Ascente Ball will be available for £150 and 2010 (NIKE)RED Limited Edition Brasil N98 Track Jackets will also be £150 and both will be sold globally from March 3rd. (NIKE)RED products are also now being sold at retail. (NIKE)RED laces are available now at Nike Store locations, key retailers and www.nikefootball.com/RED or at www.nikestore.com. The jackets are numbered. A second round of balls will be available again starting in May.
