We are releasing our second collaboration with Nike and it seems like the perfect time to provide some insights into the inspiration behind the graphics. The first release was inspired by the rivalry between the MNT’s of the United States and Mexico, which happened to peak right around this year’s Gold Cup.

This current release takes a look at popular sports, teams and cities in the United States through the lens of the United States National Team jersey silhouette. For these we were given the opportunity to come up with graphics inspired by two teams in two different sports respectively. We opted for the Boston Celtics / Los Angeles Lakers rivalry in the NBA, and the Oakland Raiders ( re-imagined them from an LA perspective) and the NY Giants for the NFL.

As we set out to work on these graphics we tried to take the legacy of each team and city into account and pay homage to each of them. We designed for these teams with a more soccer specific aesthetic. As a soccer inspired company we had to put our own touch on these famous teams and designed what the logos may have looked like had these been soccer teams instead.

Hit the jump to check out some detailed images of the shirts and a deeper look into how we came up with the graphics.

The shirts are available at Bumpy Pitch, Nike and select retailers.

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Everybody is talking about Cyber Monday so we had to get in on the action as well. But we did it with a twist. So here is the deal.

- We are offering a three pack of shirts for $45. That’s 50% off the normal price of our shirts. But here’s the deal. It’s a mystery pack. You order the size, and we pick the shirts. There’s an element of mystery involved (maybe we call this #mysterymonday instead?). This could be the perfect opportunity to get some seriously marked down shirts. Keep one or two and give the rest as gifts? Don’t worry, whatever you choose to do with this great deal is your business, we won’t tell.

Head here to get the deal. This lasts for 24 hours only, so get your 50% off while time and supplies last.

No refunds or exchanges on this one.

I’ve been hearing all kinds of things about today’s date. 11-11-11 seems to have people in all kinds of moods. I don’t really have any particular feelings about it other than that it is pretty cool. And I’m pretty sure that at 11:11 I’ll be making a wish. I started doing that as a kid, so how can I not do that when the clock hits 11:11 on 11-11-11. Enough of the number one for you yet?

We didn’t want this unique day in history pass us by without getting involved on some level, so we have decided to take 11% off everything in the Bumpy Pitch online store. All you need to do to get the discount is use coupon code “Lucky11s” when you checkout. Head on over to the shop and pick up a couple items before the weekend. Plus, whatever you purchase today will have a great story associated with it. You can tell people you got 11% off on 11-11-11 when you bought it. Then ask them what they did that day. You win!

Besides some of the more boutique or lifestyle driven accounts that we work with, we have recently began selling Bumpy Pitch through a select number of soccer specialty stores. These are the stores that make up the heart of the soccer business. They may not have the scope of the giant sporting goods stores, but they have the passion and commitment to soccer that is essential in terms of continuing to drive the sport forward. One of these stores is Premier Soccer and it is located in Cheseapeake, VA. It’s run by a guy named Justus who always wanted to create a career form himself in soccer. That career path led to Premier Soccer and the opening of his own store.

“Finding a career in soccer was always my dream and there is nothing better than being around the sport I love every waking moment.”

“We are a “mom-and-pop style” soccer shop. Less than 5 employees but doing our best to serve our local soccer community. We pride ourselves in the face-to-face interaction a customer receives in a brick-and-morter retail environment. Letting a customer try on a new pair of boots, juggle a ball with them and then walk out of the shop ready to lace them up.”

I love hearing stories of people following their dreams and finding a career path that fulfills them. That same ideology is at the hear of Bumpy Pitch and The Original Winger. If you find yourself in or around Chesapeake, VA, stop in and say hello to the crew at Premier Soccer. And to Justus and his team, keep up the good work and keep living the dream. Thanks for your support!