In Hartford, Stephanie Sheehan reports UConn has "extended its sponsorship contract with Nike" through the '22-23 academic year, a $32.45M deal in "combined products and cash." UConn said that all the money from the deal "goes to the athletic department" (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/27).
THE KING'S ROAD: In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps wrote the Cavaliers might have the "most to gain from the NBA's switch to Nike" for oncourt apparel. Navigate Research VP/Analytics Matt Balvanz said that he "wouldn't be surprised if the NBA's merchandise sales jump 30% in the first year of the deal." The increase "could be higher for the Cavs." Balvanz said the Cavaliers could see an even bigger increase because of the "combination of their fans preferring Nike over Adidas" and the team's "significant design changes." LeBron James, who has a lifetime deal with Nike, has signature shoes that are the "second-best sellers among NBA players" (CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS, 7/24 issue).
E-EH SPORTS: POSTMEDIA NETWORK's Gerry Moddejonge noted the "Canadian Football '17" video game was released yesterday for Xbox Live and Steam, but the CFL "has not got behind the project" from indie developer Canuck Play. Instead of the Edmonton Eskimos playing at Commonwealth Stadium, for instance, the game "features a team in green and gold called the Edmonton Rhinos who play in a kind of familiar setting." Canuck Play President David Winter said that he was "told the league was looking for a developer who would pay for both development and marketing, as well as a royalty to the CFL on top" (POSTMEDIA NETWORK, 7/26).
