Varsity Swoosh: Texas HS Sports Association Signs Deal With Nike

The Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL), the state's high school athletic association, announced a partnership with Nike making the company "the official brand of choice for uniforms, apparel and footwear," according to Chad Peters of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. The partnership will provide UIL-member schools "with a discount for choosing Nike products," but it does not "preclude schools from choosing other brands and does not affect any agreements schools might have with other apparel companies." School officials "don't expect Nike's presence to signal the end for competing brands." UIL Chief of Staff Kim Rogers and Nike did not disclose the "specifics of the agreement's financial details," and it is "unclear how significant a discount Nike will offer schools." Nike PR & Community Relations Manager Cindy Hamilton said that the company has a "similar relationship with Louisiana and district-wide deals in other states" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 12/10). In Austin, Danny Davis notes Nike also "will be an official sponsor at both UIL athletic and non-athletic events." Rogers said that the organization "put the official partnership up for bidding several months ago." She said that Nike, which has "worked with the UIL in the past at Class 5A state football championships, came back with the best offer" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 12/10).