The Cleveland Cavaliers Sign Cliffs As New Jersey Patch Sponsor
The Cleveland Cavaliers inked a new jersey patch deal with flat-rolled steel producer Cleveland Cliffs. The new agreement begins at the start of the 2022–2023 season.
The jersey patch deal expands Cliffs’ visibility as the brand already has signage at one of the north entrances in the glass atrium of the Cavaliers’ recently renovated Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
“Cliffs has been an anchor for Cleveland and the Great Lakes Region for 175 years,” stated Len Komoroski, chief executive of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“We share an immense amount of hometown pride and love for this region and are committed to having a positive influence on the people that live and work here.
“While our respective roles in the community are much different from each other, both Cliffs and the Cavs are considered part of the ‘fabric of life’ here in Northeast Ohio.
“It is now very appropriate and relevant for Cliffs to be represented, literally, on the fabric of the Cavs player jerseys.”
Cliffs are replacing Goodyear tire as the team’s jersey patch sponsor. According to CNBC, the new deal matches what the franchisee receives from Goodyear, which is estimated at more than $10 million annually. Goodyear has been with the Cavaliers since 2017.
However, it is worth noting that the Cliffs deal is much more limited and does not include the practice jersey asset or any virtual signage for local broadcast games.
The Cavaliers did sign a training kit partnership with Socios.com, a blockchain-based fan engagement platform, ahead of the 2021–2022 season.
CNBA reports that the Cavaliers’ revenue from jersey patch sponsorships is expected to surpass $200 million during the current 2021–2022 season.
