BUFFALO BITS 2004 SCHEDULE - Collegefootballdatadvds.com

CU & NIKE
The University of Colorado and NIKE, Inc., are in the fourth
year of a second agreement between the two that has the
world’s largest shoe manufacturer to providing both equipment
and financial support to the CU athletic department.
Being the well-renowned leader in the athletic shoe industry,
NIKE has made a foray into the athletic apparel venue and
strives to create the absolute best quality workout gear and
uniforms available to any college student-athlete. The
University of Colorado has benefitted from NIKE’s foresight as
the company lends its research for new products and designs
to make things better for the student-athlete.
CU and NIKE agreed to their partnership in 1995, and the two
have since developed a solid relationship.
The initial agreement which had a value of $6 million, was
one of the best arrangements between a corporate sponsor and
a university in the nation. NIKE supplies all 17 of CU’s intercollegiate
sports programs and its 300-plus student-athletes with
equipment as well as game uniforms, promotional support for
coaches’ camps and team performance bonus provisions. NIKE
has also contributed close to $3 million in cash to the athletic
department over the course of both contracts.
“It’s difficult to value the entire transaction, given price fluctuations
in equipment, but I think it’s fair to say that the agreement
has a minimum value of approximately $6 million,” CU
athletic director Dick Tharp said. “The equipment needs for
our athletes is extensive, and this is probably the best product
supply agreement in the country. I was pleased with the final
agreement and NIKE’s good faith efforts.”
NIKE, a powerhouse in the world of sports, makes shoes for
about every activity imaginable, including football, basketball,
baseball, volleyball, golf, soccer, tennis, wrestling, cross-training
and cheerleading. The company also makes casual shoes in
addition to its growing line of athletic wear, which features
shirts, shorts, uniforms, running clothes, caps and leotards.
NIKE sells it products in over 80 countries world-wide, is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange, employs over 17,000 people
and did over $5 billion in business for its fiscal 2003 year.
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