Sources: Jeremy Lin, Harvard Discussing Creation Of Merchandise Line

Rockets G Jeremy Lin and his alma mater, Harvard Univ., are “in talks to create a co-licensed merchandise line,” according to sources cited by Scott Soshnick of BLOOMBERG NEWS. The sources said that the line would be “created with Nike Inc., which has Lin as an endorser and which outfits the university's football and basketball teams.” Univ. of Oregon's Warsaw Sports Marketing Center Managing Dir Paul Swangard said that a Lin-related line “would be an economic and brand-building boon to Harvard," where "almost 18 percent of the 6,657 undergraduates are of Asian descent.” Swangard said, "To millions of Chinese children, the NBA and Harvard are separately 'aspirational brands' and Lin is uniquely positioned to align their messages.” Data from online retailer Fanatics.com showed that Harvard “ranks first among Ivy League schools in merchandise sales,” and 15% of sales “come from outside” the U.S. (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 10/2).