Syracuse University Director of Athletics John Wildhack announced a new agreement with Nike and gave an update on the ACC Network launch and Carrier Dome renovations during a press conference Friday at Manley Field House.

Deal with Nike

SU Athletics and Nike signed a multi-year agreement, extending the university’s decades-long partnership with the brand, Wildhack said. As part of the deal, Nike will provide gear, apparel and equipment to all SU athletes, coaches and staff.

“The agreement benefits all 600 of our student athletes, which was very important to us,” Wildhack said.

The deal increases products for each sport, enabling them to better allocate resources and funding to areas such as recruitment and operations. Wildhack was unable to specify the length of the deal with Nike due to a mutual confidentiality agreement. Other deals between schools and athletics brands can span anywhere between six and 15 years, but the agreement between SU and Nike is shorter than that, he said.

In return for wearing and using Nike products, the company will dispense royalty revenue and performance-based bonuses, according to a press release. The performance-based bonus is team-related, and are typical among contracts with Nike, he said. Nike will also supply SU with base-cash compensation.

“When there’s some compensation in there, that gets invested back into each program, so the student athletes do benefit from that,” he said.

Two summer internship positions at Nike headquarters will be given annually to SU students as part of Nike’s agreement with the university. Wildhack said the positions will be held by one student and one student athlete.

Though Wildhack could not confirm whether SU football may soon play in orange Nike uniforms, he said he has heard fans’ feedback on the team’s current white uniforms.

The Orange’s relationship with Nike has spanned more than three decades. The men’s basketball program first wore Nike footwear in the early 1980s, with football lacing up the shoes in 1991, according to a press release. Syracuse men’s basketball, football and lacrosse teams all donned Nike uniforms in the mid-1990s, with all SU athletic programs wearing footwear, uniforms and apparel starting in the early 2000s.

ACC Network Launch

The Orange will face the Virginia Cavaliers in the men’s basketball season opener. Fans will only be able to watch the game on the ACC Network, which launches on Aug. 27. Distribution agreements for the ACC Network are in place between DirecTV, Verizon Fios and Google Live TV, among others.

Wildhack encouraged fans to register for the ACC Network, which he said will increase coverage of both women’s and Olympic sports.

Carrier Dome construction update

The Carrier Dome’s box office is relocating to the Ensley Athletic Center on Monday, he said. Renovations to the Dome’s exterior continue in preparation for the replacement of the stadium’s roof.

“For all of us and for everyone in the community I think there’s excitement to see that project underway,” Wildhack said.

 

Published on June 14, 2019 at 12:06 pm

Contact Emma: esfolts@syr.edu