ULEB and Euroleague will play with NIKE balls

28-06-2007 17:32

Nike and Euroleague Basketball have announced a new five-year partnership to make Nike the official basketball supplier for Euroleague competition. The union of the world’s number one basketball brand with two of the best Pan-European basketball competitions is the latest demonstration of both organizations’ commitment to growing the game in Europe.
The league’s 24 teams and ULEB Cup´s 54 teams will be playing with the Nike 4005 Tournament Ball for the 2008 season, as well as a series of pre-season events, including the Euroleague China Tour in October. The 4005 Tournament ball will tip-off in its first official Euroleague play at the ULEB Summer League this weekend in Jesolo, Italy.
The 4005 Tournament basketball’s 4-panel design utilizes less converging lines so the shooter can place his or her hands in the optimal shooting position quickly. The panel material is composite (or synthetic) leather with a microfiber backer that keeps sweat from collecting on the surface of the ball for a sure handle and soft touch.
“The partnership with Euroleague Basketball will further strengthen our connection to the global game of basketball,” said Jim Savino, General Manager of Basketball for Nike Europe, Middle East and Africa. “We look forward to bringing together our 35 years of basketball heritage and design expertise with Euroleague’s talented players and passionate fans.”
"We are excited to announce this new pan-European partnership, bringing the best of European basketball to the top of professional enterprise. Thanks to the application and hard work from many teams and leagues, we are today able to broker such a deal," said Jordi Bertomeu CEO of Euroleague Basketball. "We know that Nike can bring a lot of positive results in professional basketball and we are happy to be a part of that growth".

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