CHICAGO — A Chicago pro skateboarder and one of the world’s largest skateboard brands have partnered with the White Sox on a collection of merchandise that embraces the team’s iconic black-and-white theme. The collection, which includes a t-shirt, hat, hoodie and skateboard with Sox and DGK branding, is a collaboration between the Sox, DGK and skater Chaz Ortiz.
The limited-edition items will be for sale 5-8 p.m. Friday at Uprise Skate Shop, 1820 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Fans will also have a chance to buy the merch — and meet Ortiz — at the Sox vs. Mariners home game Monday.
Along with a meet-and-greet, Ortiz will throw the first pitch before the 7:10 p.m. start. Tickets to Monday’s game at Guaranteed Rate Field are available for a special price here and on Uprise Skate Shop’s website.
“We’re pretty selective on what collaborations we do. But when we’re looking at kind of the cultural impact in Chicago and artists and musicians and athletes, we’re trying to find ones that are definitely going to target that younger audience,” said Gareth Breunlin, senior director of marketing and advertising for the White Sox.
DGK, an acronym for Dirty Ghetto Kids, was founded in 2002 in Philadelphia by skateboarder Stevie Williams in tribute to young people who, like Williams, grew up less fortunate. DGK is now a global brand. In 2020, Ortiz joined DGK’s crew of pro skaters, enabling him to create his own collections within the brand.
Ortiz gained recognition after winning the Dew Tour Championship in 2010, a contest series that brings together the world’s best skateboarders. He was 18 at the time.
Ortiz has collaborated with Ethika, Diamond Supply Co. and DGK. Now, he brings his skateboard creativity to the White Sox, a partnership that’s been in the works since 2019, according to the team.
“We actually had him come to the ballpark and and skate. And then since we started this collaboration, he’s been super engaged, he’s sending design ideas,” Breunlin said. “Just having his buy-in and his energy for not only creating the line, but also for the event we’re doing at Uprise, I think it’s gonna be huge.”
The Chaz Ortiz x DGK x White Sox collection can be found at the Scoreboard Shop near center field during Monday’s game at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The limited-edition items will be for sale 5-8 p.m. Friday at Uprise Skate Shop, 1820 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Fans will also have a chance to buy the merch — and meet Ortiz — at the Sox vs. Mariners home game Monday.
Along with a meet-and-greet, Ortiz will throw the first pitch before the 7:10 p.m. start. Tickets to Monday’s game at Guaranteed Rate Field are available for a special price here and on Uprise Skate Shop’s website.
“We’re pretty selective on what collaborations we do. But when we’re looking at kind of the cultural impact in Chicago and artists and musicians and athletes, we’re trying to find ones that are definitely going to target that younger audience,” said Gareth Breunlin, senior director of marketing and advertising for the White Sox.
DGK, an acronym for Dirty Ghetto Kids, was founded in 2002 in Philadelphia by skateboarder Stevie Williams in tribute to young people who, like Williams, grew up less fortunate. DGK is now a global brand. In 2020, Ortiz joined DGK’s crew of pro skaters, enabling him to create his own collections within the brand.
Ortiz gained recognition after winning the Dew Tour Championship in 2010, a contest series that brings together the world’s best skateboarders. He was 18 at the time.
Ortiz has collaborated with Ethika, Diamond Supply Co. and DGK. Now, he brings his skateboard creativity to the White Sox, a partnership that’s been in the works since 2019, according to the team.
“We actually had him come to the ballpark and and skate. And then since we started this collaboration, he’s been super engaged, he’s sending design ideas,” Breunlin said. “Just having his buy-in and his energy for not only creating the line, but also for the event we’re doing at Uprise, I think it’s gonna be huge.”
The Chaz Ortiz x DGK x White Sox collection can be found at the Scoreboard Shop near center field during Monday’s game at Guaranteed Rate Field.
CHECK THESE OUT
