UFC and Zappos Have A Merchandise Deal
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Two very different Las Vegas-based brands are joining forces.
MMA fight promoter UFC and downtown-based online retailer Zappos have a multi-year partnership in which Zappos.com will become the exclusive wholesale manufacturer and distributor of officially licensed UFC merchandise sold at retail in the U.S.
Under the terms of the agreement, Zappos.com will create officially licensed UFC fan gear and lifestyle apparel for men, women, and youth, including clothing, footwear, headwear, and other accessories. Zappos.com will have the rights on an exclusive basis in the U.S. and non-exclusively outside the U.S.
It’s another move by Zappos to become more sports-oriented. The online shoe and apparel retailer based in the former Las Vegas City Hall building also has sponsorship deals with the Las Vegas Lights soccer team and the NHL Vegas Golden Knights.
Tracey Bleczinski, UFC Global Consumer Products Senior VP, had this to say about Zappos: “Zappos is a company of innovators, their customer service is without equal, and their reach is global. We couldn’t ask for a better brand to help us serve the more than 300 million UFC fans worldwide.”
And here’s the Zappos.com statement: “Through our partnership with UFC, we’re excited to bring WOW to a whole new customer . . . It’s a very natural relationship – we’re both Las Vegas-based organizations that share a passion for inclusivity which extends into the fitness world. UFC celebrates all its athletes equally, and we couldn’t be more humbled to welcome them into the Zappos family.”
Zappos.com will offer a wide selection of UFC fan gear and apparel, such as t-shirts, hoodies, pants, shorts, sandals, warmup jackets, leggings, running and training footwear, and much more.
Zappos.com will roll out UFC products through online retail channels starting this month. UFC merchandise will be available on Zappos.com starting January 18.
