Sources: UT Athletics Mulling New Apparel Deal With Adidas

[kcvols1]

Interesting. Adidas apparently isn't just handing money where the school says hand it but has expectations of at least some ROI or athlete participation in some kind of NIL activity.

That's something for UT to take in consideration. If the athletes won't use that Adidas NIL money, it might be better to take more cash from Nike and less in NIL consideration given there's data that the NIL money isn't being used.

I'm unsure if this leads to more transfers out of Miami and aTm because the NIL money is "too hard" to get compared to elsewhere but that would be my first thought or maybe the "free lunch" NIL era is coming to an end everywhere.

The Adidas path conceivably steers clear of trouble with the College Sports Commission.

At least it pays lip service to being ad money for legitimate NIL. I’d imagine Adidas is more careful as an organization after the Pitino fiasco.

That’s probably a competitive advantage for them going forward.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

The Adidas path conceivably steers clear of trouble with the College Sports Commission.

At least it pays lip service to being ad money for legitimate NIL. I’d imagine Adidas is more careful as an organization after the Pitino fiasco.

That’s probably a competitive advantage for them going forward.

Very true. I'm cynical since the NCAA loses in court consistently about how long the Commission will matter.

These corporations however are far better informed than me and have a far better legal grasp on the House decision than me, so maybe Adidas is doing due diligence according to House.

 

[JCHateSteve]

Interesting. Adidas apparently isn't just handing money where the school says hand it but has expectations of at least some ROI or athlete participation in some kind of NIL activity.

That's something for UT to take in consideration. If the athletes won't use that Adidas NIL money, it might be better to take more cash from Nike and less in NIL consideration given there's data that the NIL money isn't being used.

I'm unsure if this leads to more transfers out of Miami and aTm because the NIL money is "too hard" to get compared to elsewhere but that would be my first thought or maybe the "free lunch" NIL era is coming to an end everywhere.

Except Nike isn't offering more cash. They are offering considerably less before NIL even gets into it. If Nike was offering more money we wouldn't be having this conversation.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Except Nike isn't offering more cash. They are offering considerably less before NIL even gets into it. If Nike was offering more money we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Yeah, I think, whether we like it or not, Nike has decided UT isn't a team they have to have.

Unless they're planning on sniping in a bid at the last minute, it seems they aren't trying that hard. I've tried to look for possible reasons and DeerPark and others have shot them all down.

Maybe it is what it looks like. They aren't that concerned if they don't have UT.

 

[JCHateSteve]

Yeah, I think, whether we like it or not, Nike has decided UT isn't a team they have to have.

Unless they're planning on sniping in a bid at the last minute, it seems they aren't trying that hard. I've tried to look for possible reasons and DeerPark and others have shot them all down.

Maybe it is what it looks like. They aren't that concerned if they don't have UT.

It certainly looks that way. Nike probably doesn't even need to match Adidas. I think Tennessee would stay with Nike if they offered something even remotely close. Right now the numbers seem to be really far apart.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

It certainly looks that way. Nike probably doesn't even need to match Adidas. I think Tennessee would stay with Nike if they offered something even remotely close. Right now the numbers seem to be really far apart.

It's strange to me which is why I've been looking for something possibly under the surface because UT is successful in a variety of sports currently.

I'd want my logo associated with winners in various sports like UT, as Nike is currently, but maybe my orange tinted glasses don't fit Nike.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Except Nike isn't offering more cash. They are offering considerably less before NIL even gets into it. If Nike was offering more money we wouldn't be having this conversation.

From what DP says, we don’t know what Nike’s counter offer is at this point.

 

[JCHateSteve]

It's strange to me which is why I've been looking for something possibly under the surface because UT is successful in a variety of sports currently.

I'd want my logo associated with winners in various sports like UT, as Nike is currently, but maybe my orange tinted glasses don't fit Nike.

Based on the merch sales numbers I've seen in this thread, I don't get it either. Tennessee moves product. I thought it might be a lower median income in the state. But after looking that up Ohio and Alabama are no better. Objectively, Nike has undervalued UT, and the Adidas offer is tangible proof of it.

 

[JCHateSteve]

From what DP says, we don’t know what Nike’s counter offer is at this point.

I thought he said 6.5 mil total.

 

[DeerPark12]

Interesting. Adidas apparently isn't just handing money where the school says hand it but has expectations of at least some ROI or athlete participation in some kind of NIL activity.

That's something for UT to take in consideration. If the athletes won't use that Adidas NIL money, it might be better to take more cash from Nike and less in NIL consideration given there's data that the NIL money isn't being used.

I'm unsure if this leads to more transfers out of Miami and aTm because the NIL money is "too hard" to get compared to elsewhere but that would be my first thought or maybe the "free lunch" NIL era is coming to an end everywhere.

Now that right there is an interesting data point. One could not help but be curious as to why they'd turn down money, even for whatever amount of work is required. Not enough money? Too many hours of work (perceived or otherwise)? Better pay already coming in? It is curious.

Do you have any idea what that is? Instagram posts wearing Adidas stuff? I’m guessing some of them might agree to do an Adidas football tv ad that featured them wearing their school uniforms. Nike did this last year with a combined NFL guys and players from UGA, Oregon and other schools.

Adidas is willing to do influencer deals and they're a minimum amount of effort/posts/etc for a couple thousand in cash and gear. But they also come with restrictions on wearing competing brands in public. Kids want the money, but unless it's, say, $50k, they aren't giving up their Jordans or their Luluemon sweatshirts, stuff like that.

As far as just handing it out, the new rules require actual NIL activity.

Important to note that Adidas is also signing six-figure endorsement deals with athletes and recruits that aren't playing for or signing with Adidas schools.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Based on the merch sales numbers I've seen in this thread, I don't get it either. Tennessee moves product. I thought it might be a lower median income in the state. But after looking that up Ohio and Alabama are no better. Objectively, Nike has undervalued UT, and the Adidas offer is tangible proof of it.

We've seen a lot of "I'm just not into college sports since the NIL era" talk on VN and maybe Nike has some insight that college sales are tanking in TN. I have no idea but it is their business to know such things.

Ohio State is so arrogant about their school they'd buy the jerseys to rep the school even if they shuttered sports. The most obnoxious school on the planet, sports or no sports.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I thought he said 6.5 mil total.

I didn’t know if that was the final offer or not.

 

[JCHateSteve]

We've seen a lot of "I'm just not into college sports since the NIL era" talk on VN and maybe Nike has some insight that college sales are tanking in TN. I have no idea but it is their business to know such things.

Ohio State is so arrogant about their school they'd buy the jerseys to rep the school even if they shuttered sports. The most obnoxious school on the planet, sports or no sports.

I see similar complaints about NIL out of every fanbase. It's not unique to this board. Also Nike putting less value on Tennessee than Adidas is how we ended up in "3 stripes" the last time. So I doubt that's it.

Best I can figure It's just a perception thing with Nike that Adidas doesn't share, and right now their isn't a third party to weigh in.

 

[JCHateSteve]

I didn’t know if that was the final offer or not.

Could be it isn't. But if the 6.5 mil vs 13 mil before NIL stuff from Adidas is to be believed, those numbers are very far apart. Nike would have to go way up.

 

[MajinBooCarter]

Because of a logo on a shirt? That's middle school girl mentality right there worrying about what "brand" someone is wearing instead of what kind of player/person they are. Go jump on the Florida or Georgia bandwagon if a swoosh their uniform is the hill you want to die on

your right, its never about the quality of the product you put out. Everyone prefers dollar store soup over a wagyu. Why are you trying to push fans here to other fan bases? thats crybaby mentality, probably about time to head back to your hovel.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

We've seen a lot of "I'm just not into college sports since the NIL era" talk on VN and maybe Nike has some insight that college sales are tanking in TN. I have no idea but it is their business to know such things.

Ohio State is so arrogant about their school they'd buy the jerseys to rep the school even if they shuttered sports. The most obnoxious school on the planet, sports or no sports.

Ohio St is so arrogant that they trademarked the word “The”.

 

[Volman678]

the number I've heard thrown around from Adidas is 10 year 200 million dollar contract

 

[DeerPark12]

the number I've heard thrown around from Adidas is 10 year 200 million dollar contract

It’s not that much, unless they have upped it significantly to get over the finish line.

The longer we go without ann announcement, more I think somehow they work it out with Nike. If it was a simple as just taking more money, it would’ve been done six weeks ago and announced the Monday after Tennessee‘s final spring sports event like they wanted to do.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

It’s not that much, unless they have upped it significantly to get over the finish line.

The longer we go without ann announcement, more I think somehow they work it out with Nike. If it was a simple as just taking more money, it would’ve been done six weeks ago and announced the Monday after Tennessee‘s final spring sports event like they wanted to do.

 

[JCHateSteve]

View attachment 754806

Y'all skinny footed Nike folk may stop me from getting decent t-shirts yet.

 

[Bigorangefaninga]

They should, considering their roster of schools.

Adidas wants to get big over in the states. As mentioned earlier they absolutely crush Nike overseas in the European market and ESPECIALLY soccer the worlds most popular sport! Almost all the greats play under Adidas and so they are trying to get a market here in the US and what better way than for a top 10 in sales school like UT to be the flagship! My son has played soccer for ages and he absolutely hates Nike soccer cleats and prob has 3-4 pairs of Adidas that he switches around on the regular. So they do well here in soccer but not so much in football. So I think they would do us very well here, not only in the money terms(which is prob the biggest reason) but also do us well in giving us the best in terms of every sport wear for our teams and their support. They really understand this is put up or shut up time for them and the US market.

 

[Bigorangefaninga]

Adidas is willing to do influencer deals and they're a minimum amount of effort/posts/etc for a couple thousand in cash and gear. But they also come with restrictions on wearing competing brands in public. Kids want the money, but unless it's, say, $50k, they aren't giving up their Jordans or their Luluemon sweatshirts, stuff like that.

As far as just handing it out, the new rules require actual NIL activity.

Important to note that Adidas is also signing six-figure endorsement deals with athletes and recruits that aren't playing for or signing with Adidas schools.

Yep, which is why Tristen Keys has an NIL deal with Adidas and if he ends up here and we are an Adidas school that would be great, if he keeps with LSU he will be an Adidas athlete at a Nike school. So let’s hope if we sign with Adidas that it makes it easier to get Keys to join the fold.

 

[DeerPark12]

Yep, which is why Tristen Keys has an NIL deal with Adidas and if he ends up here and we are an Adidas school that would be great, if he keeps with LSU he will be an Adidas athlete at a Nike school. So let’s hope if we sign with Adidas that it makes it easier to get Keys to join the fold.

Won’t have any impact whatsoever on where he goes to school.

 

[onevol74]

Ohio St is so arrogant that they trademarked the word “The”.

It is like the name of their state. They had to find a word they could spell.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I wonder, if we go with Adidas, is it possible that Tennessee will go back to the larger Power T on the side of the helmet? When we partnered with Nike, they "streamlined" the Power T and made it slightly smaller and symmetrical. I wonder if we might go back to the larger T.