The University of Idaho student-athletes will be outfitted with the Nike “Swoosh” next year after a 10-year relationship with Adidas comes to an end.
Although the contract is pending the approval of the university, Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear said when students return in the fall, UI will be a Nike school.

“You can argue that Nike is the No. 1 apparel company,” Spear said. “Our goal is to be a premier athletic department so we’re going to have the No. 1 apparel company outfit our student-athletes.”
Nike’s original offer included only outfitting the football program, but when the school made it clear that it needed one vendor for all sports, Nike returned with a deal the Vandals couldn’t pass up.

“When they came back to the table and said they’re going to pick up all the sports, it made it a lot more attractive for us to go in that direction,” Spear said. “The promotional dollars doubled from Adidas to Nike, plus they provide incentive packages for football (and) men’s basketball, and we’re hopeful that we can continue to work and get incentive packages for women’s basketball and our Olympic sports as well.”

By making the change, the athletic department hopes additional vendors will put the Vandal’s logo on their products simply because of their partnership with Nike.
They also believe that Nike is a more attractive brand for athletes, will help with recruiting and encourage students to perform better.
“If our kids and coaches feel better about it and it makes them perform better, I’m all for it,” Spear said. “The bottom line is, we need a fresh start.”
The change to Nike equipment will be implemented as soon as possible after the contract is signed.
Carlos Loaiza, director of equipment operations, said they’re already working with the Nike representatives and should see their first shipment of Nike apparel by mid-July.

Loaiza is excited about what Nike provides for its athletes and customers and feels that with this change, the athletic program is moving forward.
“It’s an opportunity to go with the premier brand in team sports,” Loaiza said. “They’re real particular about what they want athletes to wear … they cater to the athlete.”

The uniforms won’t be seeing much change with Nike, but they plan to use more gold and a better material than they had with Adidas.
“You’ll see a nice sleek style, they’ll be a little different,” Spear said. “They’re not going to be as gaudy as something like Oregon, but they’ll be classy.”
The University Bookstore is also excited about the change and is looking forward to adding Nike apparel to their list of vendors available to students.
Peg Godwin, the general manager of the University Bookstore, and Shelby Silflow, the assistant manager for supplies, both agreed that although they were content with the merchandise that Adidas provided, they’re excited to offer something different and add a major company like Nike to their floor.

“I’ve had a lot of customers share with me how excited they are,” Silflow said. “I’m really anxious to see what’s available.”
Although the bookstore is in contact with Nike, they can’t actually look at the apparel or make orders until the University signs the contract.
Silflow and Godwin don’t expect Nike merchandise prices to be any higher high than Adidas, but believe the selection and variety should be a little more impressive.

“I anticipate having a selection for all my customers,” Silflow said. “I’d like to carry a selection for men, women and even look at their youth.”
Because of the timing of the contract, the bookstore missed the deadline for some merchandise, including replica jerseys which won’t be available for this next school year, Godwin said. But there’s still time to get a lot of great merchandise before students come back in the fall, she said.
“We’ll have potential to get a lot of great things in for this football season with even more opportunity for future years,” Silflow said.
The bookstore heard about the possibility of change early enough to hold back on Adidas orders and now only have about two racks left of Adidas apparel.
Godwin said after the contract is signed, there is a possibility of a sale on the remaining Adidas merchandise.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.