Pitt announces date for Nike rebranding reveal

?The University of Pittsburgh will reveal the results of a collaboration with Nike Global Identity Group that has been two years in the making on April 7, according to a University press release. The collaboration has been in an effort to “rebrand” Pitt Athletics. The reveal is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.

There has been speculation for the past year that Pitt will revert to the blue and yellow of yesteryear — what is commonly known as the retro colors. In addition to student athletes sporting blue and yellow backpacks around campus, the athletic department unveiled a broadcasting center earlier this year that featured the retro colors.

The reveal will feature former and current student athletes modeling the 2019 Pitt Athletic’s sports uniforms. This year, every one of Pitt’s varsity teams had an alternate uniform dubbed the “Retro-Uniforms.” The men’s basketball team even gave out retro-colored shirts to students at a game earlier this season as a promotion.

After the reveal, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. for the opening of the Nike Team Store at The Pitt Shop on Forbes Avenue. The new store will be renovated and will carry the new branded clothing.

For a column regarding the potential color change earlier this year, Director of Licensing and Merchandising Lori Burens told The Pitt News there would be an announcement later in the year.

“We are anticipating some updated news from a branding perspective later this spring,” Burens told The Pitt News. “We could circle back on this at the end of the semester.”

T-Pain, who was announced to be the Bigelow Bash entertainment, will also be at the reveal. The reveal will take place outdoors on Bigelow Boulevard, between the William Pitt Union and the Cathedral of Learning. The Bigelow Bash starts at 1 p.m. T-Pain is scheduled to perform at 5 p.m.