Rhode Island FC pro soccer club unveils jersey and announces key sponsorship

Paul Edward Parker, Providence Journal
Updated ·3 min read

WARWICK – Breeze Airways will be the official airline of the state's new professional soccer team, Rhode Island FC, team and airline officials announced Monday at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport.

They also unveiled the team's inaugural jersey, which will carry the Breeze logo.

"Nothing symbolizes a community more than a soccer jersey," said head coach Khano Smith. "It's going to be something they can be proud of."

And the logo of a prominent airline adds luster to the team's uniform, which is known in soccer vernacular as its "kit."

"It brings some legitimacy to the kit," said Smith.

Team founder and chairman Brett Johnson said he couldn't imagine a better sponsor to be on the front of the uniforms. "Breeze was No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 for the front of the jersey."

Tom Doxey, president of Breeze Airways, reveals the uniforms that will be worn by RIFC, the state's new professional soccer team, at Monday's announcement.
Tom Doxey, president of Breeze Airways, reveals the uniforms that will be worn by RIFC, the state's new professional soccer team, at Monday's announcement.

Breeze – which recently established an operating base at Green – signed a multi-year partnership with RIFC.

“Breeze Airways is the perfect front-of-jersey sponsor for our club that will help us on the pitch and off,” said Johnson. “From the very beginning, we promised to be a club for all Rhode Island. I am proud that our team and our players will serve as ambassadors for the Ocean State.”

“As big fans of both soccer and Rhode Island, we have been waiting with bated breath for today's reveal,” said Breeze President Tom Doxey. “We’re so proud of our new partnership with Rhode Island FC, and seeing the Breeze logo on our very first sports jersey. ... we’re so excited to go full Ted Lasso together!" (referring to the popular Apple TV show about a happy-go-lucky American football coach-turned-soccer-coach).

“Breeze Airways is an important and growing brand in Rhode Island, and it is fitting that [it] will be connected with our state’s only independent professional sports team. It’s truly a winning combination that will promote tourism and everything our great state offers,” said Gov. Dan McKee.

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RIFC founder and chairman Brett Johnson, left, and Breeze Airways president Tom Doxey unveil the new professional soccer team's uniform with the help of team mascot Chip at an announcement Monday that Breeze will be the team's official airline partner.
RIFC founder and chairman Brett Johnson, left, and Breeze Airways president Tom Doxey unveil the new professional soccer team's uniform with the help of team mascot Chip at an announcement Monday that Breeze will be the team's official airline partner.

Rhode Island FC's home jersey, dubbed the “Energy Jersey,” takes its design inspiration from the lightning-bolt motif in RIFC's branding.

Breeze joins Centreville Bank and Rhode Island Energy, which previously had been announced as the right sleeve  and upper back of jersey sponsors, respectively. Breeze is one of only two national or international airlines to have a presence on the front of an American men’s professional soccer team. The only other airline to serve as a front-of-jersey sponsor in American men’s soccer is Etihad Airways which sponsors New York City FC in MLS.

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Rhode Island FC will make its USL Championship debut in early March 2024 and will play its home matches during its inaugural season at Beirne Stadium at Bryant University while construction of the Stadium at Tidewater Landing is completed in Pawtucket.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What's on Rhode Island FC soccer club's jersey? Here are the sponsors