Cleveland Cavaliers Have A Jersey Patch Deal With Goodyear

The NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers have a jersey patch deal with Goodyear.

The NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly have a jersey patch deal with Akron-based Goodyear, the official tire of NASCAR, according to Scott Soshnick of Bloomberg News.

Last year, it was announced that NBA teams would be allowed to have partnerships with companies that would result in those teams featuring logos from the respective company.

Last April, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that “the league was estimating that the program would result in $100 million in additional revenue”.

In the same story, details of the patches were announced and information about what Nike, the future manufacturer of NBA jerseys, will do with their own logos.

"The sponsor patches will measure about 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches and will be placed near the left chest area of the jerseys. The 2017-18 season will also be the league’s first with Nike as its official uniform provider. The N.B.A. does not currently have a manufacturer’s logo on jerseys, but Nike will add its logo, on the right chest area, in 2017."

A month later, the Philadelphia 76ers were the first team in the four major sports to sell an ad on a jersey, announcing a partnership with StubHub that will begin in the 2017-2018 season.

At the time, 76ers CEO Scott O’Neal said that the organization was “thrilled that the NBA has decided to be an innovator among the major sports leagues in this country”.

It makes sense that the 76ers CEO and other executives around the country would be excited about the NBA’s decision to allow uniforms to feature ads.

According to ESPN’s senior writer Daniel Rovell:

"“NBA teams will keep half of the money generated by selling sponsorships on jerseys, and that half will be further split in two, with one portion going to the individual team that does the deal and the other going to a revenue-sharing pool. The half that does not go to the teams will be split with the players and will contribute to a rising salary cap.”"

Goodyear, which celebrated Akron-born children last June with a giveaway and sponsored the Safe Mobility Project with Akron Children’s Hospital is a natural partner for the Cavs. LeBron James is the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise and an Akron-native that consistently pays homage to his birthplace. He’s virtually trademarked the phrase “Just a kid from Akron”.

James has even started a scholarship fund at the University of Akron, where he’s been expected to enroll.

Goodyear is also one of the biggest brands in the world, ranked at 532 in the Global 2000 with $16.4 billion in sales according to Forbes. While Cleveland is a mid-major market, so to speak, the team is one of the most sensational in the country and the franchise has a significant international fan base as James frequents the Philippines and China regularly. Kyrie Irving, the team’s second best player, is a native of Australia.

James, as the best player in the league, also is going to be one of its global ambassadors. He’s outspoken, cultured, dresses the part and has played in five international tournaments (three Olympic tournaments, one FIBA Americas Championship and one FIBA world championship).

This could be a great partnership for the Cleveland Cavaliers and one that will probably start next season.

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What do you think of the Cleveland Cavaliers partnering with Goodyear for jersey ads? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.