The University of Kansas announced last Thursday that they are renewing their partnership with adidas through 2019.
Adidas has sponsored Kansas athletics since 2005, and before that the Jayhawks were sponsored by Nike. Per the report from the Kansas athletic department, the six-year extension is worth in excess of $26 million.
Kansas athletic director Sheahon Zenger had this to say about their partnership with adidas:
Said David Baster, Vice President of Sport Performance with adidas: “We are proud of our relationship with KU’s outstanding athletics program. We are excited to have KU athletes, coaches and fans wear adidas and look forward to continuing our successful partnership.”
Some may chalk this up as news of little importance, but don’t tell that to Bill Self and other coaches around the country. Recall two years ago when Archie Goodwin publicly stated one of the primary reasons he would not be playing basketball for Scott Drew and Baylor was due to their partnership with adidas. Yes, because Baylor wears adidas apparel, that was a deal-breaker for Archie Goodwin:
Goodwin ended up at Kentucky. Kentucky has the Nike swoosh on their jerseys.
Reverting back to Kansas, their new deal is one of the richest in adidas’ portfolio of over 70 collegiate clients.
Oh, and Andrew Wiggins wasn’t deterred by Kansas’ partnership with adidas, so the Jayhawks have that going for them, as well.
You can find Kevin on twitter @KLDoyle11