Who needs Nike?
Coming on the heels of a stinging snub by the sneaker brand's "NYC Boros" line, the city has launched a shop selling T-shirts, a few of which prominently feature Staten Island.
For those who want to wear their Staten Island pride on their chests, a colorful, retro T-shirt proudly bearing the borough's name and image is for sale now.
That's the official store run by NYC & Company, the city's marketing, tourism and partnership organization. They relaunched the store this month, complete with hip merchandise highlighting all five boroughs, along with shirts and other items emblazoned with the logos and names of city agencies ranging from the NYPD to the Sanitation department.
"You'll be the fairest on the ferry," the website promises those checking out the Island tee. The slim-fit number was prominently featured on the site's front page this weekend, and it sells for $22.
The Island also makes an appearance in another hip T-shirt that features the images of all five boroughs. "These limited-edition products will enable us to reach new audiences and build upon the success we have already had with New York City-themed merchandise representing iconic city agencies like the NYPD and FDNY," George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, said in a statement.
A "significant" portion of the proceeds from the store benefit the city, the NYC Police Foundation and the FDNY Foundation.
The Island items might appeal to some of those residents who said they would be willing to wear their hometown on their sleeve -- or feet -- following the Nike snub. Among them was Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore), who boycotted the company's shoes when she competed in the 16th annual Richard Willis Memorial Baseketball Tournament at the Jewish Community Center in Sea View.
"I am going to wear New Balance, Reebok, and Adidas today to the Willis Memorial Basketball Tournament. No Nike!" Ms. Malliotakis wrote on her Facebook page.
The "NYC Boros" line included a "Queens" "Brooklyn" "Bronx" and "Harlem" version of the shoe, but there was no "Staten Island" version available.
"Since when is Harlem a borough and why are there only four boroughs?" Ms. Malliotakis wondered.
