Milwaukee Bucks Jersey with Harley-Davidson Logo
(Image/Milwaukee Bucks)

Harley-Davidson will be one of the pilot participants of the NBA’s new jersey patch sponsorship program being unveiled for the 2017-18 basketball season. The Milwaukee Bucks jerseys will feature the roughly 2.75 x 2-inch patch, which displays Harley-Davidson’s iconic Bar and Shield logo.

Harley-Davidson is headquartered in Milwaukee, making the Bucks sponsorship a logical fit for both the franchise and company, similar to how Akron, OH-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is sponsoring the nearby Cleveland Cavaliers.

Though on-jersey branding is common for international and minor league teams, the NBA’s patch sponsorship is a first for the four American top-tier sports leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB). The NHL tested a similar sponsorship on its World Cup of Hockey jerseys, but has yet to commit to the program for an entire regular season.

The Harley-Davidson and Milwaukee Bucks partnership got us thinking about which vehicle manufacturers (current or defunct) should sponsor our favorite teams. Here are some staff picks. Do you have a fantasy sponsorship idea? Let us know in the comments section below.

  • American Motors for the Indiana Pacers, NBA
  • Pontiac for the Cleveland Indians, MLB
  • Ford for the New York Rangers, NHL
  • Tesla for the Detroit Pistons, NBA
  • Mini for the San Francisco Giants, MLB
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