After 20 years, Puma decides to re-enter the basketball realm by hiring Jay-Z as the President of Basketball Operations.
Jay-Z’s responsibilities as president will be to help Puma choose which basketball players will be a good fit to represent Puma’s basketball department as well as helping Puma’s branding direction.
Selecting Jay-Z as president has paid off right away as the brand was able to secure 2018 first-round selections, Deondre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, and Zharie Smith who are all projected to do well in the NBA.
Jay-Z also is no stranger to the basketball world. Jay-Z is a part owner and a huge component to the Brooklyn Nets. Jay-Z has also opened up a sports agency under “Roc Nation Sports” in which he represents NBA superstar Kevin Durant as well as WNBA superstar Skylar Diggins.
The partnership between Puma and Jay-Z could prove to be one that will be beneficial to both parties, as well as basketball athletes that agree on endorsement deals.