In Detroit, Drake Maye, a former quarterback for North Carolina, had initially chosen to don a custom suit for the much-anticipated NFL draft. However, Hugo Boss, a renowned German clothing company esteemed for its elegant designs, swayed Maye with an irresistible offer. The company paid the athlete to don one of its sleek gray suits instead. Maye obliged, making his appearance on Detroit’s red carpet in the simplified yet stylish Hugo Boss attire, reserving his bespoke ensemble for subsequent events.
Following the draft, when Maye stepped off a private jet for his introduction as the New England Patriots’ No. 3 overall pick, he opted for the light khaki suit accented with Carolina blue — a design specifically tailored to highlight his individual style. This suit originated from a collaboration between Pantheon Limited founder Ethan Weisman and Baynes + Baker co-founder Ravi Punn.
In a conversation, Punn explained that NFL draft events parallel the Oscars in the sports world, offering visibility and publicity that justifies substantial sponsorship deals. Players can pocket six-figure endorsements for showcasing specific outfits during these high-profile moments. “The suits are prominently displayed hours before and during the draft and critiqued endlessly online,” he explained.
Reflecting on Maye’s last-minute switch to Hugo Boss, Weisman maintained a sense of equanimity, noting that capturing photographs of Maye in his own custom suit still rewarded the team’s efforts. “Agents aim to secure deals benefiting their clients, and you can’t begrudge them that,” he stated, acknowledging both the landscape and nature of such arrangement dynamics.
As the NFL draft events unfold in Green Bay, Weisman hopes first-round selections will don his designs. He also expects broadcasters like ESPN’s Mike Greenberg to sport his tailored suits. However, he remains cautious, acknowledging unexpected changes can occur: “You never know for sure until the red carpet moment arrives,” he remarked, indicating readiness to present alternative suits to emerging talents if needed.
Hugo Boss, dubbed “at the top of the food chain” by Punn, has an edge over smaller tailors thanks to its robust financial allure when attracting first-round draft prospects. “Their resources afford opportunities smaller brands can’t match,” Punn noted, understanding the financial appeal to athletes and their agents to clinch these lucrative deals.
Draft hopefuls like Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart are expected to roll out in one of Punn’s designs, which showcases extra flair with personal touches — such as lining jackets with handpicked images. Unlike some competitors, Weisman chooses not to pay players outright but offers a complimentary tailored suit for their big night. This model aims to build brand familiarity and spawn potential long-term client relationships. Recent standout examples include country music star Jelly Roll, who sported one of Weisman’s custom pieces at an SNL milestone event.
State and Liberty, a tailoring firm catering to athletes, ventured into the NFL draft landscape, making a first-time paid appearance deal with tight end Tyler Warren from Penn State. Leering offers, company co-founder Lee Moffie stated, aren’t enticing enough to justify large investments simply for short-term image publicity. “The quick monetary gains are appealing, but not always worth the financial outlay,” Moffie remarked, pointing to the changing dynamics post-NIL where athletes can capitalize quickly and creatively from varied sponsorships.