The Penn Relays, JMI Sports, and Nike Inc. announced an agreement that makes Nike the exclusive athletic footwear and apparel supplier and sponsor of the Penn Relays through the 2020 Olympiad.
“Penn Athletics is delighted to announce Nike’s significant and continuing sponsorship of the Penn Relays,” said Dr. M. Grace Calhoun, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Penn. “We are glad to have a valued partner in Nike for this great event through the next Olympics.”
As has been the case in recent years, Nike will have a significant presence at The Relays around the track as well as a retail sales location in the Carnival Village. Nike also will be the Race Sponsor of the High School Boys’ and Girls’ 3000 meter races, and the High School Boys’ and Girls’ mile races.
The 2017 Penn Relays will take place April 27-29 at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus. For more information on this year’s event go to ThePennRelays.com.
“As the largest and most historic relay carnival in the world, The Penn Relays continues to be the big stage for scholastic, collegiate and Olympic level track and field stars,” said Roger Reina, Senior Associate Athletic Director/External Affairs. “To align with the Nike brand delivers a powerful combination.”
Nike has long had a major presence at the Penn Relays. Nike works closely with the sport’s national governing body, USA Track & Field (USATF), to bring some of the top athletes in the world to compete in the USA vs. the World’s events held on Saturday of the Penn Relays and broadcast live on NBCSN.
“Since the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Nike athletes have won more Olympic medals than athletes representing any other sponsor,” said Dave Johnson, the Frank Dolson Director of Penn Relays. “Many of those same athletes have run at the Penn Relays during the past 20 years, and we are thrilled to renew our partnership with the preeminent footwear and apparel outfitter in the sport.”
“We are thrilled to have Nike return as a major sponsor of the Penn Relays,” said George Perry, chief revenue officer for Penn Sports Properties powered by JMI Sports. “In addition to bringing some of the best athletes to compete in this historic event, their presence in the Carnival Village is always a fan favorite. We truly appreciate Nike’s support over the years, and we look forward to working together for many years to come.”
