News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 22, 2012
1 Bowerman Drive Beaverton, Ore. 97005 1 -800 -344 -6453 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: DaBrielle Goodwin Media Relations Coordinator 205-555-2143 Dscovington@crimson.ua.edu
BEAVERTON, Ore. – Nike has signed a team uniform and apparel contract with the National Football League in October of 2010. Nike will be the official provider for all of NFL team uniforms and accessories, and products will be sold in retail stores starting April 3, 2012.
“Nike’s sales are 22 percent higher than Reebok’s, the current NFL
apparel provider, and we believe Nike will have better distribution and market penetration than Reebok,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Nike has agreed to a five-year apparel contract with all NFL teams, an estimated profit of $750 million in predicted sales. “The new uniform technology will be more performance driven, lighter, faster and form-fitting,” said Nike CEO Phil Knight. Changes to the uniforms will start in the 2012 season and will vary by team. Some teams -MORE-
are restricted because the NFL rules only allow teams to change jerseys every five years. For the first time the NFL will open a new pop-up store to celebrate the launch of its new partnership. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, current players and former players will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, April 2, 2012. For the first time the NFL and Nike plan to introduce their new apparel with the launch of a pop-up store in New York City. A number of NFL stars, including Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens, Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburg Steelers, and Wes Walker of the New England Patriots plan to show their support of the new partnership by modeling the new apparel. ### Nike is headquartered in Beaverton, Ore., and is a leading supplier in athletic gear and equipment. Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight founded Nike in 1964 in which it was formally known as Blue Ribbon Sports. The Nike brand is valued at $10.7 billion and is a leading competitor in athletic apparel. Nike sells a variety of products for a multitude of different sports. Nike started out as a company primarily selling athletic shoes and has now branched out to apparel.