From on the Field to Off: The Role of Collegiate Football Apparel in Building University Brand Equity

A multimethod research design was used to conduct research on Arizona State University's (ASU) branding strategies with regards to the role the athletics department brand plays within the scope of the entire university brand, and whether or not the football uniforms themselves are effective in communicating the desired brand messages to ASU's key stakeholders. The research is in the form of a case study, and is comprised primarily of information gathered in several personal interviews with important stakeholders and experts in particular areas (n = 9), as well as a survey distributed to key stakeholders (n = 429). It was concluded through the culmination of this research that, consistent with existing research, ASU models its branding strategies using a branded house approach, which means Sun Devil Athletics (SDA) is branded consistently with the university's missions, charter, and brand standards. However, SDA's unique role as a major prestige generator for the university as well as its non-academic focus means specific brand marks, such as SDA's "Sun Devil Bold" font and athletic pitchfork, are used solely within the athletics department. In order to communicate the university's messages, the football program, and football uniforms specifically, are regarded as some of the most important channels of communication because of the wide audience that is reached through the uniforms' visual representation of ASU's brand. Thus, it was found that a major emphasis is placed on football uniform design, and adidas, ASU's exclusive athletic apparel sponsor, is charged with designing the uniforms in such a way to meet not just the needs of the players themselves, but also the brand standards set forth by both SDA and ASU. The survey results established that the deliberate branding efforts put forth by SDA's partnership with adidas, as well as ASU's communication of the athletics department's role within the university, are effective in reaching key stakeholders and have been overall successful in communicating the desired brand messages to constituents.