Sporting a favorite player’s number can now be more than a declaration of faith, thanks to “smart” jerseys unveiled this weekend by Nike, Inc as part of its new partnership with the NBA.
A tap of a smartphone to a label on the jersey allows the wearer a real-time look at Kevin Durant’s statistics, Blake Griffin’s post-match media conference, or even the music playlist an NBA star uses to get motivated before a game.
The high-tech kit was unveiled on Friday night in a show featuring rapper Travis Scott, Golden State Warriors superstar Durant and Los Angeles Clippers standout Griffin.
Photo: AFP
Frank Ntilikina, the French sensation who is poised to launch his first NBA campaign with the New York Knickerbockers, was also on hand to tout the technology that will be available worldwide on Friday next week.
Nike vice president in charge of digital innovation Stefan Olander said the jerseys, embedded with a near field communication chip would bring customers closer to the game than ever.
“We have access to content that cannot be found elsewhere and we bring this unique added value to our customers with this jersey,” Olander said.
Nike becomes the official supplier to the NBA and its 30 teams in the 2017 to 2018 season, which starts on Oct. 20, replacing Adidas AG.
Signed in June 2015, the mega-contract covers eight years and while the terms have not been officially announced industry experts put its value in the region of US $1 billion.
The deal puts the Nike swoosh on the jersey of the reigning champion Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers of LeBron James, and such iconic teams as the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.
Nike also has access to exclusive content produced by the NBA and its partners, including videos, match sequences and locker room video — which fans will now be able to access through their “connected jerseys.”
“We use NFC technology, the same that allows remote payment in store with Apple Pay or that serves for metro cards. Each shirt has its chip that allows the experience of each buyer to be fully customized” said Michael Hailey of Nike Innovation.
Information will not just flow one way through the smart jerseys and their associated apps. Nike will know who bought specific players’ jerseys and where they are when they scan in.
Players can use them to send social media-style messages specifically to those fans who bought their jerseys.
The connected jersey will be available in two editions, one priced at US$110 and one at US$200 — part of Nike’s package of four jerseys for each team.
And there is no reason to think the technology will be limited to basketball.
“There is no reason to think that we can’t extend this experience to other sports, because in the end, what we do is bring more value to the experience of our customers,” Olander said.
SIBLING RIVALRY: Marc Marquez was locked in a duel with his little brother, falling behind at one point before recovering for his first season-opening victory since 2014 Six-time world champion Marc Marquez yesterday won the MotoGP season-opening Thailand Grand Prix to complete a dominant debut weekend at his new Ducati Lenovo Team, having also romped to Saturday’s sprint. The Spanish great took the 26-lap grand prix by 1.732 seconds for his 63rd MotoGP victory from younger brother Alex Marquez, who is still seeking a first checkered flag, with Francesco Bagnaia third to complete an all-Ducati podium. It completed a perfect weekend for Marc Marquez, who took pole position, the sprint victory and the grand prix win for a maximum 37 points to open the 22-leg 2025 campaign. He led from
AC Milan’s slender hopes of reaching next season’s UEFA Champions League took another hit on Thursday with a 2-1 defeat at Bologna which left them eight points from Serie A’s top four. Sergio Conceicao’s team sit eighth, some way behind fourth-placed Juventus after losing an entertaining contest at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, a match which was rescheduled from October last year due to torrential rain and flooding. Swathes of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, much of which is fertile agricultural land, had been left under water following a massive autumn downpour. Dan Ndoye prodded home the decisive goal in the 82nd minute
VALUABLE POINT: Relegation-threatened Valencia snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw at CA Osasuna thanks to a remarkable backheel volley by Umar Sadiq Barcelona on Sunday secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Sociedad to move back top of La Liga. Aritz Elustondo’s early red card gave Hansi Flick’s side a comfortable afternoon, with Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski on the score sheet. Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to temporarily knock the Catalans from their perch, while Real Madrid, third, lost at Real Betis Balompie. Flick was able to rotate his side a little ahead of the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 visit to face SL Benfica tomorrow and still move one point above Atletico. “There were a lot of things that
Former Australian motorcycle gang member-turned-golfer Ryan Peake, who served a lengthy jail term for assault, yesterday produced a “life-changing” maiden win to qualify for The Open Championship. Peake held his nerve for a one-stroke victory at the New Zealand Open, earning him a berth at the major in Portrush, Northern Ireland, in July, pending clearance to travel as a convicted criminal. The 31-year-old from Perth celebrated animatedly and was showered with champagne by friends on the 18th green of the Millbrook Resort course near Queenstown after a redemption story rarely seen in the refined sport of golf. Peake held back tears as he
RSS