The first company to put its name on an Iowa men's basketball jersey makes roofs. Brava, a synthetic roof tile manufacturer based in Washington, Iowa, is the program's first official jersey patch partner, the university announced Tuesday.
The patch debuted the same night, when the Hawkeyes played Virginia Tech at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City. It was Iowa's first game in Sioux City, according to the program's June schedule announcement. The Hokies won 93-88 in overtime, so the patch's first game was a loss. Iowa is 2-1.
What the Brava Deal Includes
Brava, founded in 2008, makes roofing that imitates cedar shake, slate and Spanish barrel tile and employs more than 600 people, according to the release. Beyond the patch, the agreement includes influencer marketing campaigns with Iowa men's basketball players, which makes it an NIL deal as much as a jersey deal. Neither side disclosed the length or the dollar value.
Learfield's Hawkeye Sports Properties, Iowa's exclusive revenue generation partner, put the deal together. Athletic director Beth Goetz said in the release, "We are proud to have Brava's name represented on our jerseys."
Why a Local Brand Matters in the Jersey Patch Market
The release does not mention patch deals for Iowa football or women's basketball, and Brava is the men's program's first. The first buyer is a home-state manufacturer rather than a national brand, which keeps the money and the message close to the fan base Iowa is trying to reach. Learfield's Deana Barnes pointed to how far Iowa fans are spread across the country.
Brava's logo now sits on Iowa's competition jerseys for every game it plays. Follow the business of college sports on the BallerTube news page.
