The move for college athletics, sources close to the matter confirm, is historic. USC Trojans stars Zachariah and Zion Branch have signed with Jordan Brand-a first for college football players to link with the iconic Nike subsidiary of the highest-profile athletes and most legendary sneakers. As the Trojans get ready for their inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference, the Branch brothers are making headlines on and off the field.
Camp this fall has been eventful so far for Zachariah and Zion Branch. All-American wide receiver return specialist Zachariah had a phenomenal freshman season in which he was the first true freshman in USC history to make the First Team All-American list, earning honors from USA Today, PFF, and Sporting News. Meanwhile, safety Zion is anticipating a good bounce-back after an injury-plagued season.
Jordan Brand’s Growing Football Roster
Adding to Jordan Brand’s football lineup, the Branch brothers are a rare addition to its currently heated roster of well-recognized NFL stars in the mold of Dak Prescott, Deebo Samuel, and Jalen Hurts. This deal evokes Jordan Brand’s deeper commitment to expanding its presence in the college football scene, especially in a place like Los Angeles, where it has already been able to get a foothold with UCLA’s Kiki Rice as their first-ever NIL athlete in 2022.
This creates a unique blend of athletic and lifestyle branding, offering the best of both worlds. It allows the athletes to showcase different brands in various aspects of their careers. For USC, that means continuing a deal with Nike for official team apparel while offering the Branch brothers an opportunity to wear Jordan Brand in their personal lives.
Growing Jordan Brand’s Influence
This move on Jordan Brand’s part conveys the greater trend involving major brands partnering with college athletes. Jordan Brand, in this instance, secures its position in college football by partnering with the Branch brothers in this energetic market that is growing impressively day in and day out. This is also indicative of strategic moves to profit from their increased visibility and marketability.
The Branch brothers have already accumulated quite an impressive portfolio of partnerships heading into this deal. To date, they have partnered with brands like C4 Energy, Gillette, and Honey Stinger. That growing influence and entrepreneurial drive extends to merchandise, too: twins launched a retro 90’s t-shirt collection through the NIL Store.
The Impact of NIL Deals
NIL deals have transformed the college sports landscape by allowing athletes to monetize their brand and their achievements. This deal the Branch brothers struck with Jordan Brand puts the pedal to the metal in this shift. The longer it goes on, one can almost measure how college athletes are being valued for both their talents and their worth to a market.
Now that both Branch brothers are firmly in the Jordan Brand fold, the future indeed is very bright for both the athletes and the brand. The deal no doubt will carve an avenue for more college football players to have well-publicized endorsement deals.
Expect the Branch brothers to leave a lasting impression in the world of college sports as they progress their careers on the field while developing personal brands. This historic NIL deal between Jordan Brand and the Branch brothers from USC has somewhat bigger implications than just a talented contract. It is about changing landscapes in college athletics.
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