Knoxville, Tennessee, August 13, 2025
News Summary
The University of Tennessee has announced a new 10-year partnership with Adidas, starting in July 2026. Adidas will supply footwear, uniforms, and apparel to enhance UT Athletics while boosting opportunities for student-athletes through improved name, image, and likeness agreements. This collaboration marks a return to a partnership that previously lasted from 1995 to 2014 and aims to further elevate UT’s standing in collegiate sports. The university’s athletic director expressed optimism about the partnership, which also focuses on innovative design and resources.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – University of Tennessee and Adidas Announce New 10-Year Partnership for Athletics Starting July 2026
The University of Tennessee (UT) and Adidas have officially announced a renewed partnership, set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Under this agreement, Adidas will become the official provider of footwear, uniforms, apparel, and sideline gear for UT Athletics.
This partnership marks the first collaboration between the two organizations since their previous agreement ended in 2014. The new partnership is scheduled to last for ten years, with a focus on both honoring UT’s athletic traditions and bringing in innovative resources and energy.
UT’s Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White expressed optimism about the collaboration, citing its potential to further enhance the university’s reputation in collegiate sports. Adidas recognized UT’s recent resurgence in athletics, which is evidenced by outstanding licensing numbers, impressive television ratings, and a series of sold-out events.
Performance and Positioning
Since Danny White became the athletic director in 2021, every one of UT’s 20 varsity sports teams qualified for postseason play in the last two years. This achievement positions UT as a key flagship university within Adidas’ network of partners.
Adidas President for North America, John Miller, conveyed the company’s commitment to equipping student-athletes with top-notch products and opportunities. A significant aspect of the partnership includes the provision of enhanced name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for UT student-athletes across all 20 varsity programs. Adidas intends to set a new standard for investments in NIL agreements throughout collegiate athletics.
Historical Context and Future Plans
From 1995 to 2014, Adidas and UT maintained a successful partnership which included notable achievements such as a football national championship in 1998, and two women’s basketball national championships in 2007 and 2008. Former star of UT’s women’s basketball team, Candace Parker, expressed her enthusiasm about the renewed partnership, highlighting its potential benefits for future student-athletes.
To kickstart the partnership ahead of its official commencement, Adidas plans to negotiate NIL deals with UT student-athletes throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. Once initiated, every student-athlete at Tennessee will have the opportunity to participate in Adidas’ NIL Ambassador Network.
The creative team at Tennessee will lead the design of uniforms, benefitting from Adidas’ expertise and resources to further build and enhance the university’s brand. The partnership also aims to elevate UT’s profile as a leader in licensed apparel sales nationwide, with Adidas set to unveil an extensive collection of UT fan apparel and footwear at the partnership’s launch in 2026.
Adidas: A Global Leader
Adidas operates as a leading global sporting goods company, headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, with over 62,000 employees and €23.7 billion in sales in 2024. Established in 1794, the University of Tennessee has evolved into one of the nation’s premier athletic departments, accumulating numerous national championships and accolades in both athletics and academics.
Key Features of the Partnership
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Start Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Duration | 10 years |
| Partnership Roles | Footwear, Uniforms, Apparel, Sideline Gear |
| NIL Opportunities | Enhanced for all 20 varsity programs |
| Design Collaboration | Tennessee Creative team with Adidas involvement |
| Anticipated Offerings | UT fan apparel and footwear launch in 2026 |
FAQs
What is the duration of the partnership between the University of Tennessee and Adidas?
The partnership is set to last for ten years, beginning July 1, 2026.
What type of products will Adidas provide to UT Athletics?
Adidas will supply footwear, uniforms, apparel, and sideline gear.
How will this partnership benefit UT student-athletes?
The partnership aims to provide enhanced name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for all student-athletes across 20 varsity programs.
When did the previous collaboration between UT and Adidas end?
The previous partnership lasted from 1995 until 2014.
What has UT achieved in athletics since Danny White became the athletic director?
Under Danny White’s leadership, every one of UT’s 20 varsity sports teams has made it to postseason play over the last two consecutive years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- UT Sports: Adidas Partnership Announcement
- Knox News: Tennessee Baseball Update
- UT Sports: Lady Vols in the WNBA Update
- Wikipedia: Adidas
- Google Search: University of Tennessee Athletics
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