UT's New Adidas Era
Tennessee Athletics Formally Switches to Adidas in New 10-Year Apparel Partnership
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Key Points
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UT women's soccer is the only soccer program, as Tennessee does not have a men's soccer team, highlighting Adidas’ rollout across a single soccer squad.
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Sage Mardjetko was showcased wearing the new orange Adidas softball uniform as part of the rollout, signaling branding across softball.
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Lady Vols basketball orange jersey features stronger Summitt Blue accents and omits the side checkerboard design, marking a distinct look for Adidas amid the branding shift.
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Tennessee's Adidas-era men's basketball orange jersey includes a centered Adidas logo and the Power T placed above the name plate, reinforcing the new branding cues.
The University of Tennessee has officially ended a 12-year relationship with Nike and signed a new 10-year deal with Adidas, according to Sports Illustrated. The partnership covers all 20 varsity programs and takes effect July 1.
The rollout includes uniform unveilings for football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and more. The Daily Times reported that the new orange color is Pantone 151C, inspired by the American daisy.
New Designs Bring Back Power T and Summitt Blue
The new Adidas uniforms carry several distinct design choices. The Power T logo returns prominently across sports. Summitt Blue accents — named after legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt — are back in women's basketball uniforms, according to Sports Illustrated.
The Lady Vols basketball orange jersey drops the side checkerboard design seen under Nike. Men's basketball jerseys feature a centered Adidas logo with the Power T placed above the name plate. Some jerseys also include an embroidered slogan inside the collar.
Softball and Soccer Get Early Uniform Reveals
Tennessee softball was among the first programs to show off the new look. Pitcher Sage Mardjetko was featured wearing the new orange Adidas softball uniform as part of the official reveal, Sports Illustrated reported.
Women's soccer also unveiled its new orange Adidas kit. Tennessee does not have a men's soccer program, making the women's team the only soccer squad in the rollout. The transition has been in the works for over a year, according to Sports Illustrated.
NIL Ambassador Network Adds New Revenue Layer
The Adidas deal goes beyond uniforms. It includes a built-in NIL Ambassador Network. NIL stands for name, image, and likeness — it allows college athletes to earn money from their personal brand.
The network gives Tennessee student-athletes direct access to Adidas-backed NIL opportunities. This makes the deal more valuable than a standard apparel contract. The Daily Times called the new uniforms 'a strong sense of identity' for Tennessee athletics.
Tennessee Softball's Strong Season Sets the Stage
The uniform launch comes after a strong year for several UT programs. Tennessee softball advanced to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. The Vols won two games before falling in the semifinals, according to Sports Illustrated.
The timing of the Adidas rollout — launching in early July with a full social-media reveal plan — is designed to build momentum heading into the fall season. All 20 programs are expected to debut their new looks before competition begins.
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