WASHINGTON (AFP) — A small-town factory in rural New York state that produces about half the jerseys worn by NBA players could lose those jobs to lower-cost manufacturing centers in Thailand.

Photo: AFP

American Classic Outfitters of Perry, New York, has made NBA uniforms for 40 years and employs about 100 people in making uniforms for Adidas that are worn by such stars as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal.

US Senator Charles Schumer wants Adidas to keep its relationship with the plant east of Buffalo and two other US outfitters rather than ship the jobs off to Thailand.

"It is flat wrong for Adidas to take away the production of game-day NBA jerseys from the company and workers who have done so well for the NBA for so long," Schumer said in a statement Tuesday 24 November.

"And to do it in this economic climate adds insult to injury."

Adidas has told American Classic that it will cancel a seven-year deal signed last year to produce NBA jerseys, Schumer said, noting American Classic spent one million dollars in factory improvements to meet the contract terms.

Adidas released a statement saying it was moving jersey production closer to the source of materials to ease supply issues.

"The Adidas Group continues to produce uniforms for professional, college and other amateur teams at more than 30 facilities in North America and will continue to do so moving forward," the Adidas statement said.

Schumer claims it will be the first time in NBA history that league players have worn uniforms made outside US plants if the Thailand move comes to pass by German-owned Adidas, the world's second-largest shoe and sport apparel firm.

American Classic also makes all jerseys for the Women's NBA and the NBA's development league, Schumer said.

"Basketball is a marquee American sport and the NBA is its premier stage," Schumer said. "A short-sighted decision to destroy over 100 years of history by moving production of game day jerseys overseas just cannot stand.

"The jerseys the NBA players wear should be made in the USA, plain and simple.

"To do anything else is an insult to the American worker and sports fans everywhere in America."