Seeing dollar signs
How much do state schools earn from apparel deals?
Memphis signed a new five-year, $11.25 million contract extension with Nike in December. The agreement ensures every team in the Memphis athletics department will continue to receive shoes, apparel and equipment from the Beaverton, Ore., company.
It marks the continuation of a department-wide relationship between Memphis and Nike that was formed in 2008. This is the second five-year extension the Tigers have agreed to with Nike since the original contract.
“Our decision to continue our agreement with Nike is first and foremost the fact that our student-athletes and our coaching staff want to be a Nike program,” Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement. “Their innovations, designs and superior customer service have been truly incredible. This new 5-year agreement is a very strong statement on the relationship we are building together and the future for Tiger athletics. We are honored to remain a part of the Nike family.”
Here’s a look at what other universities around the state receive from apparel contracts. Tennessee linked with Nike in 2015, agreeing to an eight-year deal for nearly
selection of Hasheem Thabeet at No. 2 in 2009 remains a stain on Wallace’s résumé.
Wallace, though, doesn’t buy into the pressure.
“I’m not going to take sole credit for this, but the front office teams I’ve presided over won the most ever games in the history of this franchise,” Wallace said. “We were seven straight years in the playoffs. We also brought in four of what I call the extended Mount Rushmore or six most important players in of the franchise. One year out of the playoffs doesn’t necessarily mean we’re out of touch and no longer capable of doing the job.”
Wallace originally joined the Grizzlies in June 2007.
He helped build the core four of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, and engineer a seven-year playoff run. Only Conley was drafted by the Grizzlies.
Wallace hasn’t ruled out trading the No. 4 pick, or moving down in the draft to acquire more than one first-rounder. His philosophy is to take the best talent available.
Wallace isn’t a believer in drafting based on perceived need.
The only real need for Wallace is arguably this: to get the pick right, meaning grab a player who could contribute to the franchise for as long as Conley has. An argument for need is grab a player who can shoot and provide immediate help on the wing if the Grizzlies expect to return to playoffs.
“We are optimistic about next year. We have the No. 4 pick or whatever that brings you on the trade route,” Wallace said. “We have a lot of options. We’ll have the mid-level exception. We’re going to be good next year. It’s rare to have a team that’s been in the playoffs for seven straight years, still have their key players coming back and several more years of productive play in front of them and get a chance to make a top-five pick.”