[incizarry]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5677387
Nike strikes uniform deal with NFL

Associated Press

CHICAGO -- Nike Inc. will become the NFL's official uniform provider in 2012 as part of an agreement involving the league and seven apparel partners, ousting rival Reebok to also provide all fan apparel.
Reebok will remain the league's official outfitter through the 2011 season. Beginning in April 2012, the official partners also include New Era Cap Co. Inc., Under Armour Inc., Gill, VF Corp., Outerstuff Ltd. and '47 Brand.
Terms were not disclosed for any of the deals.
New Era will handle on-field headwear. Under Armour will remain the sponsor of the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Gill will manufacture fan gear, as will VF. Outerstuff will continue as the league's youth apparel provider, and '47 Brand will do headwear for fans.
Reebok, which is owned owned by Adidas AG, said in a statement it has enjoyed its decade-long partnership with the NFL.
Nike had been a uniform supplier in the mid-1990s, the NFL said.
Shares of Nike hit a new 52-week high of $83.40 before slipping back to close down 9 cents at $81.89. Shares of VF Corp. fell 37 cents to $84.87, while shares of Under Armour rose 48 cents to $46.40.
"We believe our agreement with the NFL enhances the Nike brand, and provides a significant opportunity to drive growth across the business -- both in our performance products and sportswear," said Charlie Denson, president of Nike Brand. This could be interesting, for sure. This is from an NBC interview.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39634800?__so...*blog*&par=RSS

Darren: Many fans want to know how much you are going to change the jersey. Will it be similar to what you've done in college with pretty significant overhauls?
Denson: We plan on changing the NFL jersey dramatically just like we've done with the college programs, using new thinking and the greatest technology available. The NFL program hasn't had the same type of advancement in recent years.

[Doctor-CTAC]

i am glad they will be back.

[Dxwlxqvg]

just a way the NFL can get people to purchase new jerseys.

[SodeSceriobia]

just a way the NFL can get people to purchase new jerseys.

Yep.

[popillio]

Yep.

contracts run out, new contracts are made.

[Zs3ZASpA]

contracts run out, new contracts are made.

I know. Still a good way to make money.

[Evsltkzl]

contracts run out, new contracts are made.

agree. Reebok has been doing it for a while, let someone else get a turn, IMO. I don't think there will be too many major changed to uniform design, but they might get creative with the materials.

[Trebbinsa]

agree. Reebok has been doing it for a while, let someone else get a turn, IMO. I don't think there will be too many major changed to uniform design, but they might get creative with the materials.

[Peertantyb]

agree. Reebok has been doing it for a while, let someone else get a turn, IMO. I don't think there will be too many major changed to uniform design, but they might get creative with the materials.

exactly. if I compare one of my starter jerseys to my reebok one, they materials and stitching are about the only things that have changed over a 15 year period.

[MaugleeRobins]

exactly. if I compare one of my starter jerseys to my reebok one, they materials and stitching are about the only things that have changed over a 15 year period.

I'm hoping they come up with something new for the Bengals. I hate their jerseys.

[CDCL7WKJ]

agree. Reebok has been doing it for a while, let someone else get a turn, IMO. I don't think there will be too many major changed to uniform design, but they might get creative with the materials.

They'll change the shape like the new hockey sweaters so people will feel the need to update their collection.

[oraltyrap]

They'll change the shape like the new hockey sweaters so people will feel the need to update their collection.

What more can they do? Jerseys are basically painted on the players these days anyways. Linemen don't even have "sleeves" on theirs.

I think for a couple, all that will change is that little Reebok matrix logo will be a swoosh.

[Nupbeaupeteew]

I'm hoping they come up with something new for the Bengals. I hate their jerseys.

Isn't it actually up to the individual team if any changes get made to the design of the jerseys?

[Vigeommighica]

Isn't it actually up to the individual team if any changes get made to the design of the jerseys?

from uniwatchblog.com

Can we postpone the lockout to 2012?: As you’ve probably heard by now, Nike will take over the NFL’s uni contract after the end of next season. For those who’d like to beat the rush and start slitting your wrists now, this story has an ominous quote from a Swooshkateer exec: “We plan on changing the NFL jersey dramatically just like we’ve done with the college programs, using new thinking and the greatest technology available.” It’s unclear whether those changes will involve fabrication/tailoring or graphics — I’m guessing some of both.
But that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. I certainly won’t be shedding any tears for Reebok, which has overseen a fairly wretched period in NFL uni design. I don’t know how much input they had into the current designs being worn by the Cardinals, Vikings, Jaguars, or Falcons, but I doubt they were just passive bystanders in the design process. Think of it this way: How many NFL teams have improved their look on Reebok’s watch? (And here’s a sobering thought: The Bengals have actually gotten worse.)
It’s also worth remembering that Nike had an NFL contract as recently as a decade ago (although it was only for selected teams, not the entire league) and most of their teams looked just fine. For those teams, Nike was just a vendor supplying a product according to long-established specs. Yes, Nike also ruined the Broncos, but that’s only because the Broncos allowed it. NFL teams aren’t like college programs that will take their marching orders from Nike just to impress recruits. They’re mega-corporations that, for the most part, look at the long haul, the big picture, not short-term trends or flavors of the month. Case in point: Not a single NFL team revised its home or road uniforms this season.
Still, some teams are more willing to tinker than others, and Nike will no doubt encourage them to do so. But the NFL’s longstanding rules regarding alternate uniforms (only one alt or throwback design per season, only two alt-clad games per season, only one new alt design every five years, etc.) are, well, not very Nike-friendly. Is the NFL planning to revise those rules when the Nike contract kicks in? I’ve made some inquiries on that but haven’t gotten a response yet. Frankly, I’ll be surprised if I get one.
Do I trust Nike? Not even a little bit. But the responsibility for safeguarding a team’s aesthetic dignity ultimately lies with the team itself. Think of Nike as a virus looking for weak organisms to infect and inhabit. Strong teams will resist the virus; weak ones will succomb. Too bad there’s no vaccine.
(Special thanks to Phil for the swooshified NFL logo.)

[StanWatts]

What more can they do? Jerseys are basically painted on the players these days anyways. Linemen don't even have "sleeves" on theirs.

I think for a couple, all that will change is that little Reebok matrix logo will be a swoosh.

I'm still hoping all cowboys jersey's are pink.

[vodaPlaps]

I'm still hoping all cowboys jersey's are pink.

I don't need that sort of confirmation to know they are a bunch of Nancies.

With my luck they would be playing the Eagles, which would make the game near unwatchable.

You look like a pink nightmare.

[Markdogas]

I'm still hoping all cowboys jersey's are pink.

I don't need that sort of confirmation to know they are a bunch of Nancies.

With my luck they would be playing the Eagles, which would make the game near unwatchable.

You look like a pink nightmare.

Speaking of 'pink', i realize it's Breast Cancer Awareness month and all, but the pink gloves, pink towels, pink shoes, pink ball caps are driving me crazy.

I remember when they'd do the 'pink' thing for one weekend, but the entire month???

And whatta 'bout the other cancers??? Shouldn't they get some 'awareness', too??

[desmond001]

Speaking of 'pink', i realize it's Breast Cancer Awareness month and all, but the pink gloves, pink towels, pink shoes, pink ball caps are driving me crazy.

I remember when they'd do the 'pink' thing for one weekend, but the entire month???

And whatta 'bout the other cancers??? Shouldn't they get some 'awareness', too??

Nobody cares about the rest.

Save the Ta-Ta's