Hearts Will ‘Brandish the Bee’ In 2025
A Hummel outfitted Hearts of Pine will play in “the #1 minor league market in America,” as claimed by Sports Business Journal
The German-founded, but now Danish-owned, sportswear brand Hummel will outfit the Hearts of Pine in 2025.
Hummel has a reputation for its colorful and sporty collections and its bold marketing approach. The brand has outfitted some of the club giants in the world of football. Real Madrid, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland, and Benfica have all donned the chevroned bumblebee logo of Hummel, which is the German word for bumblebee, upon their chest.
A Hummel outfitted Hearts of Pine will play in the #1 minor league sports market in America according to Sports Business Journal.The loss of the Portland Pirates in 2016 saw Portland’s minor league sporting market rankings crater from 15th to 142nd in 2017.
In the past two years, Portland has risen from 71st to 1st in the country. This is largely due to a record-breaking sell-out of Hearts of Pine season ticket deposits which led to the start of a wait list for additional season tickets.
“We’re honored that Hearts of Pine have been celebrated as part of Portland’s ranking as the #1 minor league sports market in the country. Our record-breaking season ticket and merchandise sales are proof that Maine's sports passion is the best in the country," said Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder of Portland Hearts of Pine.
We're thrilled to be a part of this fantastic sports community, and we're excited to bring pro soccer to Portland in 2025," Hoffman-Johnson added. "With soccer's rising popularity in the U.S., especially among Gen Z and Millennials, we are extending the deep relationships Mainers have with sports, now and into the future. The next milestones along our journey will be to introduce our first head coach in early November, and then to reveal our inaugural jersey during an event at the State Theatre on November 21."
Portland is on top of the minor league sporting market, and the Hearts have a world renowned outfitter manufacturing their kits. Brick and mortar continue to be lain, strengthening the foundation of the Hearts of Pine.