Report: Penn State May Switch to Adidas as Apparel Provider

Last updated 10:10 p.m.

Penn State may be switching from swooshes to stripes, according to a new report.

According to On3’s Brett McMurphy, the Nittany Lions may switch the school’s apparel company from Nike to Adidas, pending Board of Trustees approval, a major move which could have several drastic impacts in State College. The report didn’t include a timeline for the possible switch, though it likely wouldn’t take place until 2026 at the earliest, as the athletic season is already underway.

The university’s athletic department said in a statement after the report surfaced that it is evaluating its options.

“Penn State Athletics is conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP) for its future apparel partnership and evaluating various opportunities,” the department wrote. “This process will enable Penn State Athletics to identify the best partner to support our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”

This indicates the university will also explore other options, including an extension with Nike or a deal with another company.

Penn State has been in a partnership with Nike since 1993, and though terms of the contracts have never been publicly disclosed, reports suggest their current deal was coming to a close. Before working with Nike, the Nittany Lions were sponsored by Russell Athletic.

The University of Tennessee recently agreed to a lucrative 10-year contract with Adidas, which includes NIL partnerships for a multitude of sports. It’s likely Penn State’s deal would include something similar.

Many recruits have cited Nike/Jordan brands as an attractive feature for schools in recruiting battles, and most fans generally consider Nike to be the premier option. The company has deals with a majority of FBS schools and recently flipped South Carolina from Under Armour.

However, Adidas seems to be making a strategic push to acquire large brands, offering higher dollar figures than its long-time rival.

If the BOT ultimately votes to move forward with a change, it would result in Adidas providing uniforms for Penn State football all other sports teams at Penn State. Additionally, Adidas would become the primary seller of Nittany Lion merchandise, changing the options for fans looking to rep the program.