Nike is in the news again. This time is with the NFL where the sports apparel company will sponsor a football classic. This week, the National Football League in partnership with Nike announced the second annual football classic to kick off the 2023 high school football season. It will be hosted at Nike World Headquarters (WHQ) in Beaverton.
Nike and its founder Phil Knight was recently in the news for investing in a fund dedicated to African Americans. The price tag was $400 million that will go towards a variety of programs for Blacks. This classic is gearing towards giving attention to the up and coming local stars.
Teens get to be in the spotlight. The collaboration between Nike, the NFL and clubs will allow each of the participating boys and girls high school teams to play in the high school kickoff in their local markets.
The anticipated classic will feature three high school football games — two girls flag football games on August 24 and one boys football game on August 25. Top ranked boys’ teams and high-powered girls’ teams from Long Beach Poly High School (California) and Bishop Gorman High School (Nevada), along with girls’ teams from Willowbrook High School (Illinois) and Irvington High School (New Jersey) will match up on Ronaldo Field at the Nike WHQ. NFL clubs will mirror the experience by hosting boys tackle and girls flag games in their home markets.
“For the second year, the Nike Football Kickoff Classic will serve as the official kickoff of high school football around the country,” said ROMAN OBEN, Vice President of NFL Football Development. “These games will bring an unimaginable experience for high school football players. Congrats to all the participating NFL markets giving girls and boys in high school football the shared kickoff experience it deserves.”
In their information sent to the press, the Nike Football Kickoff Classic will be covered across social channels, including @usnikefootball @athlete channels @NFLClub channels, @NFL, @nflplayfootball.
Nike Football Kickoff Classic at Nike World Headquarters:
Girls Flag – August 24, Time TBA: Willowbrook High School vs. Bishop Gorman High School
Girls Flag – August 24, Time TBA: Long Beach Poly High School vs. Irvington High School
Boys Tackle – August 25, Time TBA: Long Beach Poly High School vs. Bishop Gorman High School
It is all about local teams pushing sports. This season, schools participating in the Nike Kickoff Classic will be sponsored by the NFL team in their home markets.
