Nike Expands Relationship With USA Basketball

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 5, 2009 - Nike and USA Basketball today announced a new multiyear extension that will further deepen Nike's commitment to the USA Basketball men's and women's programs.

 As part of this long-term extension, Nike will continue to serve as the exclusive oncourt and apparel provider of the USA Basketball men's and women's national teams.  For the first time ever, Nike will serve as the official compression product supplier by outfitting USA Basketball teams in its new line of Nike Pro Combat products.   In addition to outfitting the Men's and Women's National Teams, Nike will support all national teams represented by USA Basketball, including USA Basketball junior and developmental teams.

"Nike has been an ardent supporter of USA Basketball and a key contributor to developing the values of teamwork and dedication that the Men's and Women's National Teams exhibited during the games in Beijing," said USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo.  "The long-term expansion of our partnership has helped make our teams stronger and we look forward to working together with Nike to achieve new heights both on and off the court for years to come."

"We are honored to extend our partnership and further our relationship with USA Basketball," said Lynn Merritt, Director Global Basketball Sports Marketing for Nike.  "We were pleased with our association and involvement with USA Basketball, and to share in the success of the Beijing Olympic gold medal team.  We will provide innovative products that will assist the USA Basketball team members in future World Championship and Olympic competition as they attempt to equal the standard of achievement realized in Beijing."

Throughout this extended partnership, Nike will promote its brand and products through USA Basketball-themed events, media, advertising, and promotions.  Nike will also now serve as the on-air presenting partner of USA Basketball exhibition games broadcast in the United States  

Nike, a proud partner of USA Basketball since 2006, actively supported the USA Basketball Men's and Women's National Teams during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  Nike was the presenting partner of the five-part documentary series, Road To Redemption presented by NIKE , which aired on ESPN2.  The series documented the entire story of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team and its preparations for competition in Beijing, China, including behind-the-scenes access to team practices, off-the-court activities and exhibition games, which showed how a group of elite NBA players came together to become one cohesive basketball team.  Viewers learned about the new era of USA Basketball through vast archival interviews and exclusive access to USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo, head coach Mike Krzyzewski, and members of the USA team. 

In addition, Nike hosted a media tour in New York City, complete with a celebration for media and fans to publicly introduce the new Men's Senior National Team and its innovative new Nike uniforms.

Nike unveiled new television advertisements last summer, which ran during August and September 2008.  The brand featured USA Basketball displays in their retails stores and online, and opened a special grassroots fan museum called "The Commitment Gallery" in Harlem, New York.