Here is the backstory on Inter Miami’s new pink jersey, and where you can get one
“We want more pink.” That was the plea from Inter Miami fans from the moment the team’s inaugural uniforms were unveiled two years ago.
The home shirts in 2020 were white with pink trim and the road uniforms were black with pink trim. But the hottest selling Miami jerseys that year were the pink training shirts. Pink – a hue long associated with Miami sunsets, Miami Vice and flamingos – quickly became the defining color of Inter Miami’s “La Familia” diehard fans, who love to blast pink smoke from the north stands.
And so, two years later, the fans’ request has been granted.
Inter Miami on Saturday morning unveiled The Heartbeat Kit, the team’s new all-pink primary jersey for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Inspired by and designed for the fans – “the true heartbeat of the team” in the club’s words – the kit includes a pink shirt, pink shorts, and pink socks, all with black trim.
To illustrate the heartbeat theme, the cuff of the sleeves has a wavy electrocardiogram (EKG) line embossed into the fabric with M-shaped peaks for Miami. The same design appears on the left front shirt tag.
“The perfect way to launch the 2022 MLS season is to unveil our kit in honor of La Familia and the tremendous support our fans give us every day,” said Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas. “Every detail of our club’s primary jersey for the next two seasons is a testament to our gratitude for the supporters – the heartbeat of Inter Miami CF.”
The new jersey also includes an inscription on the back of the neck that reads “Libertad Para Soñar” (Freedom to Dream). The design and font are identical to a tattoo co-owner David Beckham has on his chest. The words were originally scripted in the handwriting of Beckham’s close friend, singer Mark Anthony.
The collar is an homage to classic jerseys of the 80s and early 90s, such as England’s Italia ’90 World Cup shirt, and the Napoli and AC Milan shirts.
“This jersey represents our fans who are the heartbeat of the club,” echoed Beckham. “It is an expression of our love for the city of Miami and our incredible supporters, and it is extra special to me because it features my Freedom to Dream tattoo beneath the collar.”
The team will debut the pink jerseys at the season home opener Feb. 26 against the Chicago Fire, according to club sources.
Michael Ridley, Inter Miami senior vice president of brand and marketing, is jersey obsessed. He has a collection of 372 shirts and wanted Miami’s new one to be just right.
“We didn’t want pastel pink or fuchsia, we wanted our pink and were very careful with that,” said Ridley, adding that Inter Miami’s pink color code is Pantone 1895C.
The fabric also had to be just right. When the first version of the shirt arrived, Ridley exercised in it in his garage to build up a sweat and found that it became see-through, which was a problem with the previous white jersey. So, he requested a different fabric and adidas found one that does not show through.
Ridley said the two-year project was a collaborative effort between adidas, Ted Brooks, the team’s director of creative and content; Kevin Curtis, the associate director of design; and brand manager Gaby Mas.
On the front of the jersey is “XBTO”, the team’s cryptofinance firm sponsor, and the sleeve sponsor is software tech company XMANNA.
The Heartbeat Kit is available for purchase at MLSstore.com. It is also for sale at the Weston Cup youth tournament from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, the DRV PNK Stadium team store will open from noon to 4 p.m. Fans will be able to take their photo with Inter Miami players Bryce Duke and Mo Adams from noon to 2 p.m.
From Feb. 21 to Feb. 26, fans can buy a limited-edition Heartbeat Cake at Toothfairy Bakery in South Beach. The cake will feature the EKG line along with the signature pink color. Five pairs of regular tickets to the Inter Miami home opener will be hidden inside the cakes. One lucky fan will find a pink ticket, which can be redeemed for a jersey and two Club seats to the home opener.
For ticket information, visit intermiamicf.com/tickets
This story was originally published February 19, 2022 at 8:59 AM.