Detroit Pistons tab local online retailer StockX as new jersey patch sponsor

The Detroit Pistons have tabbed StockX as their new jersey patch sponsor.

The Detroit-based online retailer, which has exploded in popularity and value since launching in 2016, will have its logo adorning the front left strap of the Pistons’ jerseys. StockX replaces their previous jersey partner since 2021, United Mortgage Wholesale , which is owned by Phoenix Suns owner (and Michigan State alumnus) Mat Ishbia.

The goal is for the Pistons’ new relationship with StockX to extend beyond the court too.

THE STAFF: Detroit Pistons' 2024-25 assistants include returnees Jarrett Jack, Jerome Allen

“We’re really excited about this partnership,” Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem told the Free Press. “For us, since we came down to Detroit, it was really about finding the right partners and local partners, obviously starting with our partnership with Olympia, moving into the new arena. And then obviously our critical partnership with Henry Ford Health that we’re doing so much with. And now again to partner with another great Detroit brand that’s really in the forefront of culture and sports and fashion, and it’s a global online marketplace that will appeal to our players and all of our young people working here and all of our young fans.

“It really will be a strong, mutually-beneficial relationship,” Tellem continued. “We’ll be able to do a lot of cool things together here in the community, which will be fantastic.”

The team announced the partnership with a "Detroit Kickback" party, open to the public, at Campus Martius on Wednesday afternoon. It was hosted by former Michigan basketball star Jalen Rose and attended by Tellem, Cade Cunningham, new Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, former Pistons point guard Lindsey Hunter, StockX CEO Scott Cutler and COO and president Greg Schwartz.

There also was a surprise performance by Big Sean.

"It's a dream come true, first of all, for what this is," Schwartz told reporters during the event. "Just a Wednesday in Detroit, we have thousands of people out here celebrating Detroit. That was so much a part of what we wanted to do when we joined forces with the Pistons. As a partnership, it makes a ton of sense for our brand because our customers, our product catalogue is so synonymous with the sport of basketball and the NBA. And of course, it makes sense for it to be our hometown team to do a partnership like this.

"We're just happy it was able to come together, and this is just the beginning."

As part of the partnership, the Pistons and StockX will collaborate with and provide opportunities to students at Pensole College of Business and Design. A team spokesman clarified that the specific details of the program are still being worked out.

Additionally, the StockX logo will appear on the Pistons’ court at Little Caesars Arena and the Motor City Cruise’s court at Wayne State Fieldhouse. Tellem teased that there’s more to come as far as the Pistons’ plans with StockX

“So much for us building our fanbase, connecting with our fanbase, holding onto our fans, keeping them engaged,” he said. “And having StockX as a partner does it so well. I think we’re going to be able to do a lot of great things together. We’ll continue to build and broaden both of our fanbases.

“We’re brainstorming a lot of great things that we can do in the city together, using our team and all of their assets. As we go forward you’re going to see a lot of activation on joint projects on joint projects between the two of us in Detroit.”

[ MUST WATCH: Make "The Pistons Pulse" your go-to Detroit Pistons podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ) or watch live/on demand on YouTube . ]

Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com . Follow him @omarisankofa .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons tab local online retailer StockX as new jersey patch sponsor