PAPILLION, Neb. – USL League One club Union Omaha announced on Thursday the donation of its 2020 Inaugural Season jersey partnership to CHI Health and Nebraska Medicine – two prominent health organizations at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 – in order to build awareness, raise funds and assemble support for “bending the curve.” 

“This is about all of us playing a role in bending the curve and ensuring our healthcare heroes have the resources required to treat those that need it most,” said Alliance Sports Chairman and Union Omaha CEO Gary Green. “In times such as these, we need to continue to have compassion and do what we do best – unite as a community and support those most in need.”

In addition, Alliance Sports Chairman and Union Omaha CEO Gary Green has donated 45,000 masks to local hospitals, including CHI Health and Nebraska Medicine. In total, Union Omaha and its investment group are donating nearly $250,000 in funds and assets to help build awareness and to support those on the frontline of fighting COVID-19. Both the donation of the jersey partnership and addition of a community-building and health awareness hashtag are unique elements never been done before by any other American soccer club.

“As a long-time fan and supporter of local sports, CHI Health is proud to be selected as a jersey sponsor by Union Omaha,” said Cliff Robertson, MD, Chief Executive Officer at CHI Health. “Their decision to pay tribute to the work of health care organizations like ours during this unprecedented pandemic is heartwarming, especially for the nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists and countless others on the front lines. We look forward to cheering from the stands as our community heals, moves forward and is once again able to enjoy the activities which bring us together.”

“Seeing the Nebraska Medicine shield on these jerseys is a source of pride for our health care teams,” said James Linder, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Nebraska Medicine. “We are proud to be the official medical provider for Union Omaha and sending the message of bending the curve at this critical time shows our frontline providers that the whole community is rooting for them and doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The Nike jerseys feature the club’s crest on the front right side and Nike swoosh on the front left side. The jersey partners are featured across the chest and over the heart; CHI Health positioned across the black jersey and Nebraska Medicine across the white jersey. On the back side, underneath the last name and number, both jerseys feature the #BendTheCurve hashtag which is part of a national awareness campaign to combat the spread of COVID-19. The right sleeve features Blackstone District, the club’s official apartment provider and kit sleeve partner. The left sleeve features the USL League One patch.

“While brainstorming how our franchise would help our community during the pandemic, the Union Omaha jersey was just natural to me. To provide this asset as a thank you for what the medical professionals at CHI Health and Nebraska Medicine have done to fight the virus is simply the right thing to do,” said Union Omaha and Omaha Storm Chasers President Martie Cordaro.

“This inaugural season is unique in so many ways,” said Union Omaha Chief Operating Officer Matt Homonoff. “We are doing what we do best as a soccer community and a sport – uniting our community around a shared cause and passion for what we love. By wearing Nebraska Medicine and CHI Health over our hearts, we are honored to represent two prominent health organizations leading the fight both locally and nationally against COVID-19.”