When folks say, ‘match made in heaven,’ what it means is often the kind of partnership that Nike Wrestling and United World Wrestling (UWW) had. Yes, had! Ever since 2017, Nike has been UWW’s global sponsor. It brought its iconic swoosh to wrestling mats worldwide. May it be grassroots events or even the Tokyo Olympics, the legacy is one to remember. However, that’s not all that the partnership entailed.

Their partnership did not just sell shoes and wrestling gear but also touched lives. Remember the “We Will Wrestle Again” campaign? Nike stepped up post-COVID, raising funds for struggling wrestling communities. It was truly a lifeline for the wrestling community. Yet, as the sport has grown, the partnership has hit an unexpected takedown!

The Nike and UWW partnership is over. And it has been a surprise to the wrestling community! Out of the blue, UWW announced an eight-year deal with Rudis, a name celebrated in the US. But not a name that has the global reach like Nike! Additionally, Rudis has an annual revenue of just $57.7 million, which is almost nothing compared to Nike. Why break away from a giant like Nike?

Well, from Justin Basch’s remarks on X, it is evident that the wrestling community is just as confused. He went on to write, “The press release was not filled with any details as to what the partnership actually entails.” He is not wrong; the press release is shrouded in secrecy. There’s little information about what it entails beyond a shared vision of “Unified Strength.” So what does that mean?

Sure, the language is poetic, but the fandom and community obviously want specifics. What’s Rudis bringing to the table? Is it innovative products? Unique sponsorship perks? Or maybe something completely unexpected? The questions are endless! However, in the press release, the UWW’s president, Nenad Lalovic, said they’ve taken big steps for wrestling since 2014, and this is yet another big step. But swapping a trillion-dollar company for Rudis?

So, why is Bo Bassett’s deal with Rudis so mysterious?

The decision to leave Nike behind for Rudis seems like a complete rebrand for UWW. In fact, a deep dive into the Rudis website shows that there is a collection that is to be launched. It shows products like Gold Standard Jacket and Rudis Wrestling Shoes with the brand’s signature style. But can it match Nike? One thing that Nike undoubtedly has in the capital, and their collection showed the same.

Nike’s UWW collection has men’s, women’s, and youth apparel, plus referee-specific gear. Rudis will truly have to bring their best to the table to beat Nike’s standards. White Rudis does have collaborations with stars like Kyle Snyder and Sarah Hildebrandt. Will it resonate worldwide? It’s a question that still has no answers! So when does the Rudis collection come out?

As per the countdown on the Rudis website, the collection is to be launched in exactly 105 days. “Together, with Unified Strength, UWW and RUDIS partner together to honor the sport’s rich tradition while building its future,” were the words from the brand on X, while Rudis is promoting the brand at this tagline: “RUDIS is honored to be the Official Partner of United World Wrestling. Coming Soon: UWW x RUDIS Collection.” They have already begun their marketing with wrestlers like Bo Bassett already under their belt. However, only time will tell if Rudis’ ambition and innovation can match Nike’s legacy. And maybe, just maybe, the mystery surrounding the deal is to keep the thrill of the upcoming collection alive!

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