Sports

South Carolina's switch: 7 articles to explain USC's Nike deal

Stories by The State journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles discuss South Carolina's transition from Under Armour to Nike for athletic apparel. Common topics across the articles include details of the contract, the transition timeline, and the implications for USC sports.

South Carolina's board approved a $70 million, 10-year deal with Nike. The switch will take effect on July 1, 2026. They considered only Nike and Under Armour, with Under Armour declining to match Nike's offer. The deal includes $5 million in cash and royalties on sales. Nike will redesign jerseys for several sports, becoming the sole outfitter. Fans will anticipate the new gear, set to hit stores shortly after the transition. The contract highlights "A'ja Wilson Integration," acknowledging her as an iconic USC ambassador. This will include special sneakers and a jersey chassis inspired by her. Execution of uniform redesigns will span the initial years of the partnership.

Read the articles below.

South Carolina leaders show off Nike-branded Gamecock football series, from left: Thad Westbook, USC board chair; Jeremiah Donati, athletics director; and Michael Amiridis, school president. By Jordan Kaye

NO. 1: IT’S OFFICIAL: SOUTH CAROLINA IS BECOMING A NIKE SCHOOL

The switch to the Swoosh is official. | Published August 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan Kaye

South Carolina leaders show off Nike-branded Gamecock football series, from left: Thad Westbook, USC board chair; Jeremiah Donati, athletics director; and Michael Amiridis, school president. By USC photo

NO. 2: DID SOUTH CAROLINA GET A GOOD DEAL IN ITS NIKE PARTNERSHIP? A CLOSER LOOK

Apparel contracts are a bit tricky. | Published August 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan Kaye

South Carolina debuted its first Under Armour football uniforms at halftime of the 2007 spring game. By The State file photo

NO. 3: HOW SOON WILL SOUTH CAROLINA’S ATHLETES START WEARING NIKE JERSEYS?

It’s official: | Published August 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jackson Castellano

South Carolina football players wearing Russell Athletic branded jerseys.

NO. 4: SOUTH CAROLINA HAS WORN NIKE BEFORE. A LOOK AT THE GAMECOCKS’ GEAR HISTORY

South Carolina became the star of college athletics sports apparel news on Thursday. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

South Carolina football By Tracy Glantz

NO. 5: Q&A: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA’S DEAL WITH NIKE

The University of South Carolina’s board of trustees approved a deal on Friday to make Nike the next apparel outfitter for Gamecock athletics. | Published August 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

A’ja Wilson talks about her signature Nike A’One shoe during the taping for Nike social media in Columbia on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. By Tracy Glantz

NO. 6: THERE’S AN A’JA WILSON CLAUSE IN SOUTH CAROLINA’S CONTRACT WITH NIKE

South Carolina approved a deal to make Nike the future official uniform outfitter for Gamecock athletics on Friday. | Published August 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

Aug 23, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) is all smiles after a basket against the Washington Mystics during the fourth quarter at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

NO. 7: WHY A’JA WILSON SAYS HER PART IN USC-NIKE PARTNERSHIP IS A ‘FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT’

When South Carolina signed its apparel deal with Nike last week, there was a surprise in the terms sheet of the contract. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Sauls

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.