“Best Jersey Since the 1986 America F.C Jersey”: Bruce Lee Inspired MLS Kit Throws Fans Into Frenzy

Published 03/19/2023, 11:55 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Getty

Global star Bruce Lee spent a significant part of his life in Seattle. The city saw Lee’s rise as a martial art teacher and eventually as an actor. Hence, Seattle has a huge fan base for Bruce Lee. Nevertheless, to pay tribute to his legacy, the city’s soccer team Seattle Sounders FC announced the launch of a Bruce Lee kit. However, the announcement has left fans with divided opinions. 

As per Seattle Sounder’s latest Instagram page, the much-awaited Bruce Lee kit made its debut on Saturday, 18 March 2023. While many were excited to see the stylish jersey, others had several questions for the soccer club. 

Controversy related to Bruce Lee’s jersey

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The newly launched Bruce Lee-inspired jersey is a stylish red-colored one with a bold dragon-inspired print. The jersey is funded by Providence Swedish overtaking the Zulily sponsorship. When the Bruce Lee kit was released last month, its sales shot to the $50,000 target in two hours. 

Amidst the unimaginable success of the jersey, there also arose certain controversies around it. The supporters of the Sounders club were disappointed with the association of the Providence Swedish company since they do not stand for social issues. As a result, when the jersey debut was announced a day before Saturday, fans expressed several reactions. 

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

MLS’ Seattle Sounders Set to Give a Massive Tribute to Bruce Lee After Their Return From FIFA Club World Cup, Where They Could Face Off Against Real Madrid

Mixed reactions from fans on the Bruce Lee-inspired jersey

While many fans were excited to see the Sounders’ players in red, several other were unhappy with a few issues related to the jersey. Take a look; 

Some fans loved the new Bruce Lee-inspired jersey;

“Best jersey since the 1986 America f.c jersey”

“Very detailed kit of Bruce Lee 🐉.”

“I need one!”

via Imago

Many questioned the absence of long sleeves from the jersey;

“Is there going to be a long sleeve version?”

“still No Long Sleeve? Or you can just ignore us 😢”

Moreover, fans raised questions that Lee should have had more of a fan base in San Jose Earthquake as he was born in San Francisco;

“First of all the great Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco so he would have been a San Jose Earthquakes fan.”

However, some fans criticized the interference of Providence with the jersey. Also, a few fans thought that the jersey could look a little more Chinese; 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Get rid of Providence”

“Can @soundersfc use more traditional Chinese characters for Bruce Lee 李小龍 and Seattle Sounders 西雅圖海灣者 on their promo and merch pls? Do it right please!”

Nevertheless, owner Adrian Hanauer has learned about all the complaints and explained his concerns. He revealed that a major part of the gains would be donated to the Bruce Lee Foundation as well as the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. Apart from paying respect to Lee by releasing his jersey, the owner of the team Adrian Hanauer has decided that the team will don the iconic jersey on his 50th death anniversary in his remembrance. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: Relive the Iconic on-Screen Fights of the GOAT Bruce Lee From His Movie Collection

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Muskan Sharma

739Articles

One take at a time

Muskan Sharma is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She has a degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta. Muskan has worked as a writer for 3+ years but has a knack for filmmaking, too.
Show More>

Edited by:

Anupama Ghosh