NBA announces deal with Stance to become sock provider

NEW YORK (AP) The NBA has agreed to a multiyear deal that makes Stance the league's sock provider - and allows a company's logo to be featured on official on-court apparel for the first time.

Players will begin wearing the Stance socks during the NBA Summer League in July. The company will create team-specific designs and limited-edition styles for marquee events and holiday games.

Golden State All-Star Klay Thompson says Monday in a release that the socks, which feature unique colors and designs, are a ''fashion statement.''

The NBA also will announce soon a new uniform deal to begin after the expiration of its current contract with Adidas. Commissioner Adam Silver said last week the uniforms would also feature the company's logo, and he has said he believes it's ''inevitable'' that jerseys will eventually also include sponsors' logos.