honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, November 30, 2009

NBA uniforms to be outsourced to Asia


By SAM HANANEL
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The official uniforms for NBA players could soon be made in Asia, a move drawing sharp criticism from a New York Democratic senator.

Sports apparel maker Adidas plans to end its contract with American suppliers and move production of NBA jerseys to a factory in Thailand. The move could cost about 100 jobs at a factory in upstate New York that makes more than half the uniforms worn by Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and other NBA players.

Sen. Chuck Schumer said the switch would blemish more than a century of history for the marquee American sport. He called on Adidas to reverse its decision.

"To do anything else is an insult to the American worker and sports fans everywhere in America," said the longtime New York Knicks fan.

American Classic Outfitters of Perry, N.Y., has been making NBA jerseys for 40 years.

Adidas is in the middle of an 11-year merchandising deal as the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, WNBA and the NBA Development League.

In a statement, Adidas said it is consolidating its supply chain and moving production closer to the source of uniform materials.

"The Adidas Group continues to produce uniforms for professional, college and other amateur teams at more than 30 facilities in North America and will continue to do so moving forward," Adidas said.

Rob Knoll, senior vice president at American Classic Outfitters, said his company had a multiyear contract to make pro basketball uniforms for Adidas. But last month, he said, Adidas told him it is moving operations overseas. The New York plant had invested more than $1 million in improvements and equipment to produce the jerseys.

Adidas also had contracts with two other U.S. companies to make the official NBA jerseys.