LAFC, in partnership with adidas Los Angeles, revealed the release of two adidas Originals limited-edition iconic sneakers today: the #HeartofGold Samba and the #StreetByStreet Samba. A first-of-its-kind partnership, LAFC is the first Club in Major League Soccer history to collaborate with adidas Originals on a co-branded Samba, honoring the city of Los Angeles. LAFC joins Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid as iconic clubs in world football to recently have custom Club sneakers.
“The LAFC community was built by being authentic to global football culture and authentic to the city of Los Angeles,” LAFC Executive Vice President of Brand & Community Rich Orosco said. “We are thrilled to create the first-ever adidas Originals MLS collaboration, and to continue our community journey with the LAFC Samba shoe, a cornerstone of global football and casual culture.”
To kick off the collaboration, adidas released the #HeartofGold Samba which features a primarily gold body with black laces. With wear, the gold on the sneaker will begin to fade, revealing the #StreetByStreet Samba with a few gold elements remaining, including the gold three-stripes and the LAFC details.
“This collaboration is a testament to our Club’s efforts to push the boundaries of football culture outside of the stadium and into the streets of Los Angeles,” LAFC Manager of Brand & Community Ben Chi said. “LAFC aspires to become the next cultural icon in Los Angeles, and the LAFC Samba is more fuel.”
A limited number of #HeartofGold Sambas will be distributed amongst Los Angeles community heroes and frontline workers, specifically to those with a ‘heart of gold’, who are making a difference within the local community. Recipients of the limited-edition #HeartofGold Sambas were nominated by members of the LAFC community as local leaders who exemplified being a selfless citizen and doing good in the local community.
“LAFC is one of the most exciting sports franchises in the world and together, we are dedicated to being a force for good,” adidas Director of Key City Activation Timothy Nickloff said. “Our partnership is one built on a shared vision, values and responsibility for Angelinos across the city. The adidas Originals Samba x LAFC is symbol of the unity soccer culture brings to our great city and the creative spirit that drives us forward, street by street and block by block.”
Featuring entirely black and gold elements, the #StreetByStreet Samba includes an all-black body, the iconic three-stripes in gold, and ‘Los Angeles’ spelled out parallel to the top stripe. The shoe inserts read ‘Street x Street, Block x Block, One x One,’ a nod to one of the Club’s core pillars and community building mentality. Rounding out the design is the iconic LAFC crest displayed on the removable tongue of each sneaker.
While the #HeartofGold Samba will not be available for retail purchase, the limited-edition #StreetByStreet Samba will be available beginning August 22 at WSS and the LAFC Mobile Shop at 7:00am.
When ordering through LAFC Mobile Shop, product can be picked up from the LAFC HQ Merchandise Truck on 8/23/20 in the Banc of California Stadium Gold Lot from 12PM – 4PM. Stanchions with ground markers will be placed to comply with safety regulations. Please wear a mask at all times.
The #StreetByStreet and #HeartOfGold Samba’s mark the first true sneaker collaboration between adidas Originals and an MLS Club. An early adopter of LAFC, adidas joined the Club as a marketing partner in 2018. The brands have worked together to design each of the Club’s kits since LAFC’s inaugural season.
