The Eugene 4J School District has agreed to an exclusive rights-contract with Nike for varsity uniforms. The school board voted 5 to 2 at their Wednesday meeting to approve the 5-year contract with the Beaverton-based company.
Under the deal, Nike will provide each high school with $15-thousand a year to purchase its apparel. It’s also offering discounts. Eugene 4J Superintendent Gustavo Balderas says he understands concerns from some parents and school board members about the commercialization of student athletics.
Balderas: “This is really an issue about not being funded appropriately and this is an avenue that supports our schools when we don’t have the resources that we had before.”
The lack of state dollars for Oregon schools has forced schools to seek alternate means of fundraising. Balderas points out students already wear branded products.
Balderas: “We have had our students wearing brand names for decades and will be continuing to wear brand names for decades. The majority of our teams wear Nike right now.”
The district also got an exclusive rights offer from Adidas. Balderas says the Nike deal was better.