Already commonplace in other sports such as soccer and NFL practice jerseys where company advertisements are visible on player jerseys, the NBA will be looking to double their dollars and exposure by allowing for 2.5 by 2.5 inch patches to be on the left shoulder of NBA jerseys. Set begin in the 2017-2018 season, ESPN says the idea was originally proposed to team owners in February during a meeting at Toronto’s All-Star game. This week, team owners are set to reach a final decision at a board of governors meeting in New York and from the looks of things, it is pretty much a done deal.
The proposal would allow for sponsorship money from jersey ads be split down the line, with 50 percent going to the teams and the other 50 percent going to a revenue sharing pool for all franchises. NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who spearheaded the idea spoke with ESPN last month on the move.
Adam Silver:
It’s manifest destiny. So let’s begin by saying this isn’t going to affect the competition. What we’re talking about is a patch on the jersey. And one of the reasons we want to do it is that it creates an additional investment in those companies in the league … the amplification we get from those sponsors, those marketing partners of the league, who want to attach to our teams and our players.
The decision would also call for sponsors to promote the NBA through their own channels as well.
But once they put their name on the jerseys, they’ll then use their media to promote the NBA extensively. That’s probably the greatest reason for us to do it.
