CART has signed a non-exclusive, three-year licensing
deal for Nike to develop and market apparel and accessory
items bearing the marks of CART and its affiliates. Nike
may produce such CART-logoed items as team-replica apparel,
T-shirts, shorts, polo shirts, fleecewear, jackets and
headwear. Under the deal, Nike receives worldwide
distribution rights in various retail outlets, including at-
track. Additionally, Nike has agreed to specific promo
activities to support the program, including efforts in
consumer and trade media, as well as at retail, and will
display CART-related merchandise at trade shows (Nike).
AN INJECTION FOR CART: Nike Racing Dir Mac McDevitt
told Andy Dworkin of the Portland OREGONIAN that the first
set of CART-branded apparel "should hit stores by early
June," in time for the Budweiser/G.I. Joe 200 in Portland.
McDevitt, on the CART/Nike deal: "This is not a huge
initiative for Nike. It's not going to save us. But this
is something that strikes at the core of our company." Nike
execs "would not disclose the value of the deal."
Meanwhile, Nike makes its NASCAR "debut" Sunday at the
Daytona 500, as several drivers and pit crew members will
wear Nike shoes and apparel (Portland OREGONIAN, 2/15).
