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UCLA Basketball: Nike association would be a financial slam dunk for Bruins

By Pat Benson

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins while playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins while playing the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Chris Smith #5, David Singleton #34, Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4, Jalen Hill #24 of the UCLA Bruins and Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 15: Chris Smith #5, David Singleton #34, Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4, Jalen Hill #24 of the UCLA Bruins and Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

UCLA’s options moving forward

Tracy Pierson of Bruin Report Online reported in early-August that new Athletic Director Martin Jarmond was “actively pursuing a new apparel deal with various companies, including Nike, according to sources.” Pierson went on to say there the interest was reciprocated from brands; however, no deal was imminent, and UCLA likely has enough Under Armour gear to get them through this 2020-2021 sports seasons.

Various companies? Well, there are only three major apparel companies in college sports. It seems safe to rule out Adidas. Before Under Armour, UCLA wore the three stripes from 1999-2017. There were plenty of hits and misses with Adidas, but a splashy signing could help save face for the proud university.

Jordan Brand would be splashy. As Jon Christon of The Daily Bruin points out, Jordan Brand could use a west coast flagship school. Only North Carolina, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Florida dawn the Jumpman logo on their uniforms. There are several logical reasons for the partnership. In fact, there have been a few articles written that are urging UCLA to sign with Jordan Brand. But is the most storied college basketball program ready to be gobbled up by the GOAT?

After John Wooden’s final championship in 1975, college basketball went to the east coast and has only made a couple of trips back west (shout out the 1995 Bruins). Signing a deal with Jordan Brand feels like a capitulation to east-coast and ACC dominance. Jay Bilas would have a field day (the Dukie probably wouldn’t care, but I like to think that he would).

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