Inter Miami CF, Adidas launch 'One Planet' jersey for Earth Day
MIAMI - Inter Miami CF has kicked the ball out of the field and into the oceans for a third year in a row during Earth Day with the goal of a plastic-free ecosystem.
The soccer club joined forces with Adidas, creating a "One Planet" jersey made from recycled plastics that will be sold online and at the team store.
In a jaw-dropping video, free diver and model Coral Tomascik poses wearing the jersey underwater in Bimini Bahamas alongside a great hammerhead shark.
Internationally acclaimed underwater photographer Jason Washington knew firsthand the importance of what he was shooting.
"Not only does this perspective highlight the silhouette of this amazing creature, but it also starts a conversation," said Washington.
"A conversation about the importance of conservation and a conversation about the importance of having a healthy planet."
Inter Miami CF's SVP of brand and Marketing, Michael Ridley, says the message is clear.
"We've got one planet, and the key to having a healthy planet is having a healthy ocean," said Ridley.
"Thay means a bio-diverse ocean with apex predators. So that's how it's all come first cycle for the three-year journey to get here."
Inter Miami knew they needed knowledgeable and professional locals to team up with.
So, they approached experts at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science on a shark tagging program that will happen in early May.
"Big statements are great, but you need to make it tangible and local," Ridley said.
"Where better than UM? They have a world-class program for shark research and conservation, so we reached out to them about this opportunity they were like yes this makes sense for what we're doing here," she added.
Dr. Catherine Macdonald heads up the shark tagging research program at the school.
"We fish for sharks using multiple methods and when we catch one, we're taking biological samples that we use to analyze back here in the lab. We're also putting out tags that depending on what kind of tag can tell us information about how the shark moves and its habitats," said Macdonald.
CBS News Miam's Lisa Petrillo asked her about the importance of educating people about this issue.
"Every day is Earth Day here at the Rosenstiel School, " she said.
"But a real commitment here is to try to move that beyond our Marine Science community and out into Miami's broader community, to understand and even better how important, highly impacted, marine environments can be for marine species."
That means keeping our waters clean, recycling plastics if you must use them, and throwing away trash properly, not in the water.
"We want to raise awareness about the role they play in the environment because ultimately a shark in an ocean is a good thing because it means a healthy ocean which means a healthy planet, said Ridley.
The jerseys debuted at the Inter Miami CF game in Houston Saturday night.
The shark tagging program is scheduled for May 2.
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