CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati has entered into a new apparel contract that will outfit Bearcats men’s and women’s basketball in Jordan Brand, with football and all other sports wearing Nike, three people briefed on the agreement confirmed to The Athletic. The new deal will officially be in effect on July 1 and include uniforms for all teams during the upcoming 2023-24 athletic calendar, Cincinnati’s first as a member of the Big 12.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The agreement marks a highly coveted return to Jordan Brand for Bearcats men’s basketball, which donned the Jumpman logo from 1997-2006 with the iconic block uniforms that signified one of the most memorable and celebrated eras in program history. This will be the first time Cincinnati women’s basketball has worn Jordan.
- Cincinnati’s new contract — obtained by The Athletic via record request — is with BSN Sports, a national authorized apparel distributor. It’s the same company with which the Bearcats had the university’s most recent Under Armour product-supply agreement, which was first signed in 2020 after Under Armour bought out the remainder of a 10-year, $50-million deal with Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati and Under Armour mutually agreed to an early termination of that previous product-supply agreement, which was exclusive to Under Armour as stipulated by the 2020 buyout. The termination, also obtained via record request, was effective March 1, 2023, resulting in a transition period to Nike and Jordan Brand products for all Bearcats programs. (Which is why Cincinnati coaches have already worn Nike or Jordan gear on the recruiting trail.) Both parties agreed to keep the terms of the early termination confidential.
- Retail options for Nike- and Jordan-branded Bearcats apparel are expected to be available this summer. Uniform designs are still being finalized.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What is BSN Sports?
The new contract with BSN Sports provides Cincinnati athletics with discounted pricing on Nike and Jordan Brand apparel, uniforms, performance gear and equipment, and is very similar to the prior BSN agreement for Under Armour products. BSN Sports and other authorized distributors handle apparel deals for athletic departments across the country.
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Why this deal makes sense for Cincinnati
The Bearcats wanted to pair a new apparel provider with the school’s official move to the Big 12 on July 1. The Under Armour supply agreement was always meant as a stop-gap measure following the buyout, which was negotiated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest contract with BSN Sports, while not necessarily the most ideal scenario for a power conference school, is the most efficient and expedited path to outfitting Cincinnati in Nike and Jordan. The sources briefed on the agreement told The Athletic that has been a priority for athletic director John Cunningham, particularly regarding a return to Jordan Brand for men’s basketball.
What it means for the future
The contract with BSN Sports is for two years, running from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025. A shorter-term deal offers Cincinnati the potential flexibility to pursue direct apparel partnerships in a couple of years, whether with Nike/Jordan or different brands.
Required reading
- What the Under Armour buyout means for the Cincinnati Bearcats
- When Jordan Brand put the Air in Bearcats
