Ole Miss Athletics is ditching its longstanding partnership with Nike for a new, seven-year deal with Adidas.
The athletics department announced Tuesday that Adidas will become the official footwear, uniform, apparel, and sideline partner of Ole Miss beginning July 1, 2027. The agreement will run through June 2034. The Rebels join Mississippi State and Southern Miss in turning to the Germany-based athletic apparel company for sports uniforms.
Ole Miss had been partnered with Nike since 1999. Two of the school’s star athletes — quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy — signed with Nike as brand representatives ahead of the current football season.
A source told SuperTalk Mississippi News that Adidas will pay Ole Miss more than $20 million annually for the athletic apparel rights, while also injecting funds into name, image, and likeness deals with student-athletes. Adidas is said to have shown a greater willingness to be involved in Ole Miss athletics than Nike.
Specifically, Adidas will provide footwear, apparel, and equipment to 18 Ole Miss varsity programs. Ole Miss will also maintain creative liberties with its uniforms. On the NIL front, Adidas and the university have collectively committed to an investment that exceeds previous standards, Ole Miss officials said. Once the partnership begins, every Ole Miss student-athlete will also be eligible to participate in affiliate marketing opportunities through Adidas’ NIL Ambassador Network.
“Ole Miss is a surging brand in college athletics, and by aligning with Adidas, we are investing in our future and ensuring our remarkable rise will continue,” Ole Miss athletics director Keith Carter said. “This partnership will provide important resources, including increased NIL opportunities that will help us attract and retain elite talent and compete for championships.
“Just as importantly, Adidas understands and respects what makes Ole Miss special, including our iconic colors, marks and uniforms. We are excited to build on those traditions while creating new opportunities to grow our brand, elevate our student-athlete experience, increase our retail presence and position Ole Miss for long-term, sustained success.”
Since 2019, Ole Miss has enjoyed one of the most successful periods in school history, producing two team national championships (baseball and women’s golf), four teams ranked No. 1 in the country and record postseason results across all sports, including three Sweet 16s, three College World Series and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. Officials believe the partnership with Adidas will only build upon that momentum.
“Ole Miss is an ascendant SEC program that we’ve pursued aggressively to bolster our portfolio of NCAA partners,” Adidas North America president John Miller said. “We are excited to collaborate with the university to enhance a game-day heritage and athletic tradition that stand among the most storied and passionate in all of college sports.”
Officials said collaborative discussions between Ole Miss and Adidas regarding branding, colors, and future uniform design have already begun. Both parties have reportedly shared a joint commitment to preserving and building on the traditions and visual identity that make Ole Miss stand out.