The Hip Hop community’s love for Martin Lawrence’s eponymous titled 1990s comedy sitcom Martin will never wane. That’s obvious from Polo G’s double-platinum 2020 single “Martin and Gina” and its video inspired by the show’s main couple.
But the Detroit Pistons are also paying homage to the actor’s Motor City-based show by selling limited-edition merchandise with many Martin relics beginning Friday (May 14) on its Pistons313shop.com fan website.
According to TMZ Sports, the NBA team is selling its jerseys, hats, shorts, sweatshirts, T-shirts and more sporting the memorable “Martin” intro text, funny lines from the show’s screenplay and other mementos from its characters combining the Pistons basketball’s logo and team designs.
“Detroit has always shown me so much love and always shows up for me,” Lawrence said. “From stand-up tours to fans on the street Detroit has felt like home. It’s an honor to be part of something that means so much to me to this many years later.”
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In addition, Detroit native Big Sean was named the Pistons’ Creative Director of Innovation in December 2020 and is a huge fan of Martin. He exposed his devotion to the show by having its apartment backdrop and reenacted scenes for the visual of his collaborative 2015 single “Play No Games” featuring Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign. The song is from his album Dark Sky Paradise.
Therefore, it’s possible the “Bounce Back” lyricist had an hand in putting this Martin project together with the team.
“With the city of Detroit as the show’s backdrop, Martin became must-watch TV in the 90’s,” Piston Chief Business Officer Mike Zavodsky said. “Martin’s love for the Pistons in the show translated into passion for the team – the fact that he has a ring from the 2004 team is proof of that. We’re thrilled to partner with Martin to introduce a merchandise line that pays homage to both Martin and the show’s Detroit roots.”
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The Pistons aren’t the only NBA entity to use the likeness of Martin in its products.
In 2018, LeBron James and Nike created an exclusive “LeBron 16” sneaker with colorways and text similar to the Martin show’s indelible opening.
Martin aired on the FOX TV network from 1992-1997 before it went into syndication.
