It’s about two years away, but Nike is set to take over the NBA — further distancing itself from other shoe and apparel competitors.
Nike.com just released an official announcement — revealing an eight year deal to take over for Adidas as the official apparel company of the NBA, WNBA and D-League.
Nike will manufacture all on-court apparel for the league beginning in the 2017-18 season. They will also have the benefit of unprecedented advertising power — with the logo being the first ever to appear on NBA uniforms.
“This partnership with NIKE represents a new paradigm in the structure of our global merchandising business,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “As our exclusive oncourt apparel provider, NIKE will be instrumental in our collective efforts to grow the game globally while applying the latest in technology to the design of our uniforms and oncourt products.”
Sources: 8-year deal between Nike & NBA that makes Nike official uniform supplier is worth approximately $1 billion.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 10, 2015
NIKE will also have the global rights to design and manufacture authentic and Swingman jerseys as well as oncourt warm-ups and shooting shirts.
We’re excited to bring the full power of our global reach, innovation and creativity to partner with the NBA and grow the game in a way only NIKE can,” said NIKE, Inc. President & CEO Mark Parker. “In NIKE, Jordan and Converse we have three of the most connected brands in the world, and look forward to making the global growth of the game a successful strategy for both the NBA and NIKE.”
Nike has shoe deals with many top NBA stars — including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony.