The University of Massachusetts Department of Athletics and adidas America have announced a three-year contract with 21 of UMass' 23 intercollegiate sports teams, through the 2008 fiscal year. adidas is the exclusive provider of all UMass uniforms, shoes, practice uniforms, travel gear, school-issued coaches apparel, headwear, wrist bands and socks. This contract excludes football and ice hockey, both of which have pre-existing multi-year agreements with another apparel company.
“We are very excited about our relationship with adidas,” said Massachusetts Director of Athletics John McCutcheon. “This partnership is going to allow UMass Athletics to have a consistent look, which will enhance our overall brand. This will also allow us to provide our student-athletes with much better equipment, including shoes for all of sports teams, practice gear and game apparel.”
“We at adidas America believe that UMass as an institution and organization is the kind that we like to partner with,” said Vice President and General Manager of adidas Team, Richard Spanjian. “We partner with winners, and we think that the athletic department and programs at UMass are winners. This agreement benefits every student-athlete on the 21 teams, benefiting them with apparel both on and off the field of competition.”
The deal is worth over $215,000 to the athletic department over the course of the three years, with the potential of being worth $320,000 with possible purchasing milestones.
“By establishing an agreement like this with adidas, we have instantly elevated our program to the next level,” stated UMass Senior Associate Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn. “It not only allows us to provide a more consistent look for our teams and staff, but it will also assist the University in its overall licensing efforts. adidas representatives are working hard to get UMass clothing and replica products out in the retail market, furthering the efforts to make athletics a part of the community.”
