In an effort jump further into basketball, Nike launched the Pro Club in 1975 with 10 professional players. In addition to outfitting the players with exclusive gear, Nike took 20 cents from each pair of basketball shoes sold and put it into a pool to be split amongst players. In 1976, each player received about $10,000 from the club.
Today, Nike is throwing it back to the seminal club with a beautiful varsity sweater. The sweater is full of homages to the Pro Club, from the number "75" in reference to the founding year to the design on the back paying tribute to one of the original members. Phil, as in Phil Knight, is stitched onto the right the breast, and the entire piece is inspired by the same apparel once given to Pro Club members.
The Pro Club sweater is available online today for Nike members. It comes with a collectable box with more on the Pro Club's story and a Nike cloud Swoosh pin.
