Tina Turner’s Special Kit for St. Louis’ MLS Team is Here
St. Louis CITY SC Unveils “Tina Turner Kit”
St. Louis CITY SC, a Major League Soccer team entering its fourth year, has introduced a distinctive “Tina Turner Kit,” marking a groundbreaking collaboration with adidas. This kit honors the iconic two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and pays homage to the city that shaped her early career. This collaboration is notably adidas’ first kit partnership with a female music artist in global sports.
Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, Tina Turner moved to St. Louis at 16, settling in The Ville neighborhood. She graduated from Sumner High School, immersing herself in the local R&B scene. It was in venues like Club Manhattan that she first garnered attention, eventually forming the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Despite facing personal struggles, St. Louis played a crucial role in her artistic development.
The new kit features a gold jersey designed to evoke Turner’s signature stage presence, reflecting the sparkle of her famed fringed minidresses. The jersey includes her silhouette in metallic gold on the tag and her signature in “CITY Red,” a nod to her distinctive lipstick.
Created in collaboration with Turner’s estate, BMG, and Warner Music Group, the kit will serve as CITY’s secondary jersey for the upcoming 2026 and 2027 seasons. Erwin Bach, Turner’s husband, expressed the significance of St. Louis in her life, stating, “St. Louis is a homecoming for Tina. It’s where she first felt the thrill of the stage and the joy of performing.”
Carolyn Kindle, the team’s CEO, emphasized Turner’s legacy, noting, “Not only did Tina Turner change music, she impacted culture over decades and continues to permeate it today. It is a profound honor to celebrate her influence and legacy.”
In honor of Turner, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 83, the club has planned a series of cultural events. Among these is Eternal: A Tribute to Tina Turner, a one-night-only concert on February 15 featuring Grammy winner Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at Powell Hall.
Howard shared, “Tina Turner has inspired me since I was a child. Her spirit and her strength are reflected in her songs, which have shaped my own sound and my journey as an artist.” She will be joined by St. Louis native and The Voice finalist Kennedy Holmes, alongside vocalists Tamika Lawrence and Shaleah Adkisson, with orchestral arrangements conducted by Stéphane Denève and Anthony Parnther.
Holmes expressed her excitement, saying, “It is such an honor to join Brittany in paying tribute to one of the most iconic female musicians of all time.”
Bach added, “I’m especially excited for the orchestral interpretation of ‘Proud Mary’ and the initiatives around town. Local kids will discover the power of music, and special thanks are extended to the Taylor family for their support of music and sport in the St. Louis community.”
Additionally, a Tina Turner Pop-Up Shop will open at City Foundry from February 11 to 20, where fans can purchase the new jersey and view items from Turner’s personal collection, including wardrobe pieces and her eight Grammy Awards. This pop-up is part of a tribute that also introduces a music education program in collaboration with COCA, aimed at teaching youth about Turner’s work through music and choreography, financed by proceeds from the kit sales.
The celebration will culminate in Tina Turner Night at CITY SC’s home match on August 22. Since its inception in 2023, CITY has integrated music into its identity through initiatives like the Homegrown program with local artist Smino, aiming to elevate St. Louis artists through mentorship and performance opportunities.
