Dear Nike, Where’s my Hope Solo jersey?

Nike picked the wrong kid to mess with… Jacob has been ranting about this, so I told him to sit down and put it into words. With a little help from mom and dad, he wrote this letter, which I just sent out to Nike…

Nike World Headquarters
One Bowerman Dr.
Beaverton, OR 97005

To Whom It May Concern,

I’m a 13-year-old soccer fanatic. I have been following the U.S. Women’s team for months – since the qualifying rounds. And it was difficult at first; the games were barely on TV. In order to watch the earlier round games of the women’s team, I usually had to go onto one of those illegal TV broadcasting websites.

After watching them dodge Brazilian bullets in the quarterfinals and watching them rush past France in the semifinals, they have finally made it back to the Finals for the first time in twelve years. So for the cherry on top, all I wanted was a jersey of my favorite soccer player, Hope Solo.

But sadly, finding a men’s Hope Solo jersey is easier said than done. In fact, it is presently impossible. They simply aren’t made. And I am not the only one upset about this. A quick Google search of “Men’s Hope Solo jersey” will show you that many others are also searching for them.

Despite the growth in popularity of women’s soccer and other sports, there is clearly a long way to go until they are treated equally with men’s sports. It is a sad state of affairs when even a team’s sponsor and uniform provider – Nike – does not recognize that female athletes can appeal to men and boys as well as women and girls.

It is already established that male athletes can appeal to fans of both genders. It is time to recognize that women athletes have the same ability. There is a word for not doing so: sexism.

For as far as female athletes have come, they will never be treated as equals if the very entities that should be supporting them treat them as separate and unequal.

On Sunday, I will be watching the World Cup Finals and cheering my hardest. But without a Hope Solo jersey. Maybe next time.

-Sincerely, Jacob Paul

21 replies
  1. linda@adventuresinexpatland.com
    linda@adventuresinexpatland.com says:

    This is great Alan! We, too, are huge soccer fans so living here in The Netherlands has been great for seeing so much more voetbal.

    While living for five years in Chapel Hill, NC before moving here, our daughter attended many Carolina soccer camps, and met many UNC players who went on to play on the Women’s National Team (including four playing right now). We went to see the WNT play a friendly in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympics, and had seats right behind Hope Solo. A large group of guys who were locals but avid Hope fans sat next to us; they brought posters and sang songs to her, changing the words to include her name). My favorite was a rousing chorus of ‘Walking in a Solo Wonderland’. She ignored them for several minutes (you know, that steely focus), but after awhile she turned around, flashed the brightest smile at them while pumping her fist and just laughed.

    Reply
  2. Aleksandra Storm
    Aleksandra Storm says:

    Where is my nike HOPE SOLO JERSEY , and warmups , Its really easy to credit my credit card , but just hours away , I was hoping on wearing it and the clothes are no where to be found… ADDRESS 14500 Blanco Rd. #531
    San Antonio, Tx, 78216
    I would liked it delivered as soon as possible before there maybe a legal issue.

    Please I just want what I paid and ordered in a sie Small in everything . if there is any discrepencies please call 210-216-8990

    Reply
  3. Pam
    Pam says:

    Thanks for this post! Nike and other sportswear makers need to hear this, so good for you and, hopefully, good for all of the fans and players should they listen. Unless I’m missing something on Nike’s overly complicated website, there is no official Hope Solo jersey for men or women. If I’m wrong, I’d greatly appreciate information on where I can find it.

    Reply
  4. Jo
    Jo says:

    There is NO official US women’s team goalkeeper jersey, aka Solo, #1. You can personalize the women’s jersey, but sorry that’s not a goalkeeper jersey. How can Nike or anyone else miss this massive sales opportunity?

    Reply
  5. Kathy
    Kathy says:

    Yup, me too. Looking for a GK jersey for my daughter. We loved the new one she wore in the world Cup, purple or gray. I too can’t believe they aren’t available to buy. DRAT!!!

    Reply
    • AlanPaul
      AlanPaul says:

      Mark, not sure I understand if you are saying they don’t make them because no one will buy them or they are making a dumb marketing decision by not doing so…

      Reply
  6. kayla
    kayla says:

    I am a huge hope solo fan. I have been a fan since the 2008 olympics. So i think i dersever a hope solo jersey in purple! I would die for one, but not literally! I only found a hope solo t-shirt jersey, but not an actual jersey! I really want nike to sell her purple jersey, the purple 1 is sexy! Plus i love the letter i think it is totally true!

    A really hope solo fan,
    Kayla

    Reply
  7. Anya
    Anya says:

    im 15 and i love soccer and the womens national team! i totally agree with what you said. while finding a men’s jersey may be impossible, finding a women’s one is hard too! i’ve spent so long trying to find the purple jersey she wore in the world cup, or any color one for that matter. nike needs to sell goal keeper jerseys, especially hope solo ones!

    Reply
  8. Dave C
    Dave C says:

    I have two daughters who play soccer as GK’s, both would love to have a Hope Solo jersey (Purple version in particular.) But as a soccer referee myself, I am aware of the limitations of the US market, often the best equipment (watches, timers, etc.) needs to be ordered from the U.K.

    Reply
  9. Megan
    Megan says:

    I am an 11 year old soccer goalie and have been looking for a hope solo grey jersey for a long time. You should start selling them nike.

    Reply
  10. Sandi
    Sandi says:

    When can we purchase the Hope Solo purple jersey that everyone seems to want?? I would love to get one for my 22-year old daughter and surprise her for Xmas – she is a huge Hope Solo fanatic??

    Reply
  11. Craig
    Craig says:

    Just got back from taking my daughter from CO to AZ to see the Women’s US National team play Sweden. all she wants for xmas is an Erin O’Riley jersey…can’t find one! Read the above about Solo, and think Nike is missing a boat. PS – Found a Sofia Jacobsen, (Swedish team), in about 5 minutes of looking. Sad state and I am begining to agree with Jacob.

    Reply
  12. Jennifer
    Jennifer says:

    I too have been looking for a Hope Solo official jersey for my 13 year old daughter. How disappointing that such a large corporation as Nike cannot see the incredible marketing value that they have here. Soccer is definitely no longer just a “men’s sport”! Come on Nike get with it!

    Reply
    • Robert
      Robert says:

      If you are still looking for a purple Solo goalkeeper for your daughter let me know. I have bought some Nike purple goalkeeper jerseys and can heat press her number on front and back along with her name and if you want I can even heat press the US patch on the front . These are selling for 90.00 and I can send pics if interested. If not, sorry to bother you and have a good year of soccer

      Reply

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