The LA Lakers will make history in the NBA by wearing jerseys featuring Korean characters for the first time.
During the team’s Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 30, the Lakers unveiled their new uniform for the upcoming season. The jersey prominently displays the “bibigo,” a global Korean cuisine brand created by CJ.
This marks the first time in NBA history that a jersey will feature Korean writing. The brand bibigo, which became the Lakers’ first global marketing partner in 2021, signed a five-year deal with the team.
Additionally, the Lakers’ jerseys this season will also include a commemorative patch honoring NBA legend Jerry West, featuring the number 44 on the left shoulder.
While Korean lettering has appeared on uniforms for special events or promotions in the past, this is the first time an NBA team will wear a Korean-branded patch for the entire season. The significance of the Lakers’ decision is underscored by the rarity of such a move.
Other LA sports teams have also showcased Korean-themed uniforms in the past. The LA Clippers (NBA) and the LA Dodgers (MLB) have featured Korean text on jerseys during events like “Korean Heritage Night.”
In a minor league baseball game in Montgomery, Alabama, last August, uniforms featuring the word “kimchi” in Korean drew attention.
Furthermore, at the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, American gymnast Simone Biles made headlines by wearing a training outfit with the Korean phrase “Anyone, Everyone” during competition.
In a separate historic moment, this season will also see Lakers star LeBron James and his son Bronny James make NBA history as the first father-son duo to play on the same team. They are set to take the court together during the 2024-2025 season.
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
