With Jadeveon Clowney being one of the NFL draft's elite prospects, one would think that only heavy-hitting players in the apparel game such as Nike and Adidas would have a shot at signing him to an endorsement contract.
Apparently not.
A deal between Clowney and Puma is close, according to ESPN sports business reporter Darren Rovell's Twitter feed. Puma, a German company, has set out to correct recent financial struggles by acquiring some high-profile international endorsements.
Clowney would represent a major U.S. catch. While Nike is the sports apparel industry's runaway leader in sales, Adidas and Reebok are well-established, and Under Armour is an up-and-comer. Puma's place in the market, particularly in the U.S., could benefit from an athlete with Clowney's name recognition, particularly if he becomes the No. 1 overall pick of the Houston Texans.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
