re: Say Goodbye to Adidas Tennessee

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They should just stick to what they are good at - soccer.

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They're not very good at that anymore, either. Nike is crushing them these days and adidas is losing more market share every year.

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Because black and gold are SUCH a beautiful combination...

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I think it actually looks pretty great when done right. I don't think the all gold jerseys look good. However, the current gold with black shoulder pads are pretty sweet, and the black with gold-flake helmets are badass.

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I think it actually looks pretty great when done right. I don't think the all gold jerseys look good. However, the current gold with black shoulder pads are pretty sweet, and the black with gold-flake helmets are badass.

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your opinion...

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Our jerseys in 2013 were spot on...perfect. Nike better not f with them

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This. I absolutely LOVED our uni's this year. Nike won't make them the same way - they can't. They may not change the color or even the cut but they will change the textures and design because those features are all proprietary. And what about the checkerboard sleeves and other added touches? How much of that will Nike keep and how much can they keep without running afoul of various design patents/copyrights? Did the university retain control of those design elements etc.?

Adidas did a remarkable job with this year's uniforms even the socks, shoes, and small accessories were sweet as hell. It sucks that we're not going to keep this design around for very long. Just when someone finally gets it all right we change and what worries me is Nike has put out some fugly shite and has in the past demanded far greater control and paid us far less than Adidas did.

I'm not excited about this move at all. I'm afraid Nike is going to do what Nike does: try to fix something that is not only not broken but also functioning at its best.

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Did the university retain control of those design elements etc.?

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Yes, UT has control. Thats what I was worried about, so I'm relieved.

Details......

The deal is an eight-year, $35-million agreement, which puts Tennessee in the top 10 among colleges with Nike agreements.

The completion of the deal ends a negotiation with Nike and adidas, Tennessee's partner since 1997. Under Armour and Tennessee did have discussions, but a formal proposal was never made to Hart by Under Armour.

Year Nike adidas
2015-16 $6.5 $4.7
2016-17 $2.4 $4.7
2017-18 $3.8 $4.9
2018-19 $3.9 $4.9
2019-20 $4.0 $4.9
2020-21 $4.1 $4.9
2021-22 $4.2 $4.9
2022-23 $4.3
"We were very thorough and deliberate in assessing and evaluating our options with our apparel partner decision," Hart said. "Nike is the right partner for the University of Tennessee moving forward. We would like to thank adidas for working so closely with us and for the stronger partnership we have had for many years. We will continue to work with adidas through the end of our existing contract."

That thoroughness included members of the Vols' athletics department who traveled to Oregon last summer to meet with Nike executives, and apparel talks took place with multiple people in advance of the Vols' road football game at Oregon in mid-September.

The current adidas contract runs through June 30, 2015, but Tennessee will feel the effects of Nike in its bank account before then. According to a contract obtained by Volquest.com, via an Freedom of Information open records request this month, Nike will pay the University of Tennessee a $2 million signing bonus on July 1, 2014. The front-loaded contract also will give Tennessee an extra $800,000 in product in the first year to help with the transition from adidas to Nike.

According to those with knowledge in the negotiations, Nike's contract offered a more comprehensive deal. According to the pact, adidas' proposed contract reduced their guaranteed cash from a current $1.8 million annually to $1.1. adidas' 7-year contract proposal did offer more product, a total of $26.2 million over their 7-year offer compared to Nike's $25.2 million over 8 years.

Hart noted to Volquest.com in 2013, it wasn't just about money. Other factors included recruiting impact, quality of product, product availability for all 20 sports, customer service, and branding and marketing assets.

The recruiting impact was felt immediately when VolQuest.com broke the news of the impending switch.

"Not only will we be the best team, but we will be the best dressed. I'm so excited," 2015 offensive line commitment and Top 100 prospect Jack Jones told VolQuest.com.

Recently graduated All-SEC specialist Michael Palardy, a former U.S. Army All-American, echoed Jones' sentiments.

"I think it's a huge edge for recruiting in upcoming years," Palardy said. "Everyone knows Tennessee for the orange and white and the 'Power T.' Adding Nike into the mix will boost Tennessee's selling points immensely."

Meanwhile, four-star safety Cortez McDowell, who will sign with the Vols next week, took a more pragmatic approach in just emphasizing the Tennessee brand.

"I like adidas, and I like Nike; as long as the 'Power T' is on the side, I'll be fine with it," McDowell said.

Another key element in the decision was product royalties off retail sales of officially licensed merchandise where Nike offered a 44 percent greater return off of those sales than adidas. adidas' current contract and proposed contract was 9 percent to Tennessee while it's 13 percent in the new Nike agreement.

Part of that product availability also includes equipment as Tennessee will move to a Nike football, basketball, women's basketball and soccer ball. Softball and baseball equipment such as bats, balls, and gloves are not included in the deal and neither is golf clubs.

The contract runs through June 30, 2022 and Nike has exclusive negotiating rights on the contract from 12-30-21 through 3-30-22, but extensions can be agreed upon at any time. Also, worth noting obviously any changes in uniforms in any sport has to be agreed to by the University of Tennessee.

BONUS CASH

The new Nike contract will also award Tennessee for on the field and on the court accomplishments. In football, Tennessee receives $10,000 for going to the SEC Championship game, $20,000 for winning the league championship, $25,000 for playing in a playoff game, $50,000 for playing in the National Championship game, and $100,000 for winning the National Championship.

I think the ones this year were much better than those "leaked" ones. All the teams I root for have classic jerseys that I would prefer didn't get messed with (Lakers, Braves, Gunners and of course Auburn)

Curious what they would go with for away kits. Im glad they brought back the classic yellow and blue this year

Arsenal goes Puma next year. Not happy about that.

yeah I wasn't either until I saw those $$$$$$$