Hawks Honor MLK With New 2020-21 City Jerseys

History will be made in the 2020-21 NBA season with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. initials “MLK” being displayed on an alternate jersey that will be worn by the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks are the best team to represent Dr. King as he was born and raised in Atlanta. He also attended Morehouse College in Atlanta at the young age of just 15.

The Hawks’ Chief Marketing Officer, Melissa Proctor, gave some additional detail on the jerseys that will be worn in the 2020-21 season.

“We are honored that we were able to work with the King Estate, Nike and the NBA to make this happen. Being able to represent Dr. King and continue to educate next generation Atlantans and basketball fans around the world about his legacy is so important, especially right now…One of Dr. King’s final campaigns was for economic justice, which is why we are excited that proceeds from sales of this jersey will go toward supporting communities of color.”

Atlanta’s franchise cornerstone, Trae Young, went to Twitter to show off the new threads.

Not only does the new uniform look great, but it also has a deeper meaning even outside of the “MLK” on the chest. The colors of the uniform each have a unique meaning.

  • Infinity Black:  This principal hue of the Atlanta Hawks Nike Statement Edition and City Edition uniforms denotes the team’s bold, relentless, and unapologetic approach to competition and community. 
  • Vintage Gold:  The subtle and sedate golden tone highlights the reverence befitting the memory of a global icon and reflects an air of sophistication.
  • Fidelity White:  Dedication and loyalty to the great city of Atlanta along with the ideals of equality and compassion come through in this crisp and classic white.

With the 2020-21 NBA season projecting to be started sometime in January, it would be perfect timing for the Hawks to debut these new jerseys on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18.

Images courtesy of the Atlanta Hawks