Chicago White Sox, Pro Skater Chaz Ortiz And DGK Team Up On Collection

It may not be as well-known as the local scenes in Los Angeles or New York City, but Chicago is home to a thriving street skateboarding culture. And in a new collaboration with skateboard brand DGK and pro skater Chaz Ortiz, a Chicago native, the Chicago White Sox are celebrating that culture.

DGK signed Ortiz to its pro team in 2020. Their latest collection is a nod to Ortiz’s Chicago roots and lifelong support for the White Sox.

The DGK x White Sox Capsule, which launched this month, is the result of a partnership that began in 2019. The limited edition collection includes apparel, accessories and an exclusive board. Fans’ first chance to get their hands on items from the collection was at a Friends and Family event at Chicago’s Uprise Skateshop on August 18.

“Amazing turn out at Uprise,” Ortiz said. “The product came out amazing…super blessed to have the opportunity!”

The second opportunity to score DGK x White Sox gear was on Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Ortiz threw out the first pitch at the White Sox’s game against the Seattle Mariners, with several of the DGK, Uprise and White Sox staff on hand for the event. The DGK x White Sox collection items were available at the stadium store.

“[It] feels good to represent Chicago with an iconic DGK collaboration for the city,” Ortiz said. “I’ve had a great relationship with the Sox—I have been representing them since I was a kid, and I’m glad everything came together!

“We’re pretty selective on what collaborations we do,” said Gareth Breunlin, senior director of marketing and advertising for the White Sox. “But when we’re looking at the cultural impact in Chicago and artists and musicians and athletes, we’re trying to find ones that are definitely going to target that younger audience.”

If fans weren’t able to score the merch at the first two events, the collection will be available on DGK’s website until it sells out.

As of Tuesday afternoon, all the capsule items—skateboard deck, New Era snapback, New Era beanie, Mitchell & Ness hoodie and Mitchell & Ness T-shirt—were still in stock.

DGK has previously collaborated with brands such as White Castle, Otter Pops and Cup Noodles. This summer, the latter formed the first ever Team Cup Noodles with athlete ambassadors including pro skateboarder Dashawn Jordan.