The Nike era at Ole Miss appears to be coming to an end.
The Rebels are set to leave Nike and join Adidas beginning in 2027 as part of a reported seven-year agreement worth more than $20 million annually, according to reports.
The deal is expected to run from July 1, 2027 through 2034, bringing an end to Ole Miss’ relationship with Nike that dates back to 1999.
And this isn’t simply an apparel switch.
The reported Adidas agreement is expected to include significant NIL commitments for Ole Miss athletes, with sources telling FOX Sports that the value of those commitments could be dramatically larger than what Ole Miss previously received from Nike.
Adidas Is Making Moves
Ole Miss is the latest major college program to make the jump to Adidas.
In 2026, Adidas officially added Tennessee and Penn State, two of the biggest brands in college sports, to its roster.
Tennessee began its new Adidas partnership July 1 after leaving Nike. The Volunteers signed a 10-year agreement, while Adidas also established an NIL Ambassador Network for Tennessee athletes.
Penn State also left its longtime Nike partnership for Adidas in July.
The Nittany Lions’ 10-year agreement was reported at roughly $300 million, including cash, product and NIL benefits.
Now Ole Miss is joining them.
That gives Adidas a rapidly growing collection of major Power Four brands, including Ole Miss, Tennessee, Penn State, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Texas Tech and Indiana, among others.
The Nike-to-Adidas Shuffle Is Getting REAL
The college apparel landscape is changing quickly.
Nike recently landed a major win of its own when Miami agreed to a new 10-year deal worth more than $20 million annually, with the Hurricanes moving back to Nike in 2027.
So while Nike is still one of the biggest powers in college sports, Adidas is clearly willing to spend aggressively to challenge its position.
And Ole Miss could be one of its biggest additions yet.
What About Ole Miss’ Powder Blue?
That’s one of the biggest questions.
Ole Miss’ powder blue uniforms and branding are among the most recognizable looks in college sports, and reports indicate Adidas and Ole Miss have already been discussing branding, colors and future uniform designs.
For Rebels fans, the question isn’t whether the Three Stripes are coming.
It’s what are they going to do with the powder blue?
WHAT WE KNOW
School: Ole Miss Rebels
Current brand: Nike
New brand: Adidas
Reported contract: 7 years
Reported value: More than $20 million annually
Start date: July 1, 2027
End date: 2034
NIL: Significant athlete commitments expected
Nike relationship: Since 1999
Big picture: Adidas continues aggressively expanding its Power Four portfolio.
THE BIGGER STORY
Adidas isn’t just collecting college teams.
It’s building a college sports empire.
Tennessee.
Penn State.
Ole Miss.
And with NIL now directly intertwined with apparel partnerships, these deals are becoming about much more than jerseys and sneakers.
Adidas is buying into the future of college athletics.
Sneaker Shop Talk Take
The college sneaker/apparel arms race just got another major twist.
Nike has lost Ole Miss, Tennessee and Penn State to Adidas in this recent wave, while Adidas has simultaneously been willing to make massive financial and NIL commitments to land major programs.
The Three Stripes are making a serious run at the college sports throne.
And now the real question:
WHO HAS THE BETTER COLLEGE ROSTER — NIKE OR ADIDAS? 👀
Nike or Adidas? Tell us who wins the college sports apparel war.
