The USOC announced that Oakley has extended its partnership as the official eyewear supplier to Team USA through ‘20. Oakley is the first performance-based eyewear supplier to the USOC and Team USA, and has licensing rights for protective, active, lifestyle and corrective eyewear, including glasses, sunglasses, goggles and associated accessories (Oakley). SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Tripp Mickle notes financial terms of the eight-year extension were not available, but sources said that it offers the USOC “both cash and value-in-kind support.” By signing a long-term agreement with the USOC, Oakley “ensures it can promote its roster of marquee Olympians in their respective Summer and Winter Games, including American track star Lolo Jones, beach volleyball star Kerri Walsh, decathlete Bryan Clay, snowboarder Shaun White and skier Lindsey Vonn.” Oakley released a “signature line of sunglasses last year” and launched its “Beyond Reason” campaign in April for the London Games. Oakley Senior VP/Global Marketing & Brand Development Scott Bowers said that the company “will launch a social media initiative during the Games.” The company also will “host its athletes at a hospitality venue in London that it’s calling the Oakley Safe House” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/11 issue).
