Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1539550
1 0 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State Athletics is officially ending its long-running apparel partnership with Nike. The uni- versity announced Sept. 5 that it is en- tering a 10-year deal with Adidas to be its official footwear, uniform and ap- parel partner. The contract starts on July 1, 2026. Penn State athletics director Patrick Kraft described the surprise move as a "step into a bold new era." "From the field to the court, the mat to the pitch, this partnership goes far beyond uniforms," Kraft said in a pre- pared statement. "It is unlike anything else in the marketplace. [A]didas is making an unprecedented commitment to Penn State: delivering record invest- ment in our department, groundbreak- ing NIL and marketing opportunities, and access to technology and innova- tion that no other program can match. "This agreement sets a new industry standard, fueling championship per- formances, empowering our student- athletes to grow their personal brands, and creating unmatched platforms for them to shine on the national and global stage. Together, we're building some- thing that will transform what's pos- sible for Penn State Athletics and for every student-athlete who wears the Blue & White." Penn State had been with Nike since 1993. Its current deal with the company ends June 30, 2026. Adidas is making inroads at the col- lege level, having recently signed a new deal with Tennessee. Like Penn State, the Volunteers are currently with Nike. Other schools that are aligned with Adi- das include Big Ten members Indiana, Nebraska and Washington. In addition, Adidas is the official footwear, uniform and apparel supplier for Miami (Fla.), Texas A&M, Arizona State, Louisville, NC State, Texas Tech, Kansas, Missis- sippi State, Georgia Tech and Gram- bling. "Adidas is committed to partnering with universities like Penn State that possess rich tradition and champion- ship potential in equal measure," said John Miller, Adidas' North American president. "We see this new agreement as a unique opportunity for us to help shape the next chapter of Penn State Athletics while staying true to every- thing that makes the Nittany Lions an iconic brand." Chris McGuire, the company's vice president of sports marketing for North America, noted that two prominent Penn State football alums, Micah Par- sons and Abdul Carter, already have deals in place with the company. Par- sons signed in May 2024 while pre- paring for his fourth NFL season with the Dallas Cowboys; he has since been traded to Green Bay. Carter was one of a dozen high-profile pro prospects who signed with the company ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Parsons said Adidas "invests in their athletes with the same championship mindset I adopted in Happy Valley. This partnership is about refusing to settle for anything less than the best for my fellow Nittany Lions." Adidas' new deals with Penn State and Tennessee will have a name, im- age and likeness component. A news release announcing the partnership stated that Penn State and Adidas "will be prioritizing high-impact NIL agree- ments and brand marketing campaigns for student-athletes across all 31 sports, Nittany Lions Sign With Adidas, Citing 'Unprecedented Commitment To Penn State' G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M NEWS & NOTES Athletics director Patrick Kraft spearheaded the pact with Adidas, which will begin next July. The Lions are parting ways with Nike, which has been their apparel supplier since 1993, the year of the football program's entry into the Big Ten. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER