Q&A: Everything you need to know about South Carolina’s deal with Nike
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The University of South Carolina’s board of trustees approved a deal on Friday to make Nike the next apparel outfitter for Gamecock athletics.
This comes after Under Armour has been the school’s uniform provider since 2007.
Here’s everything you need to know about USC’s deal with Nike:
Question: How long is the contract with Nike?
Answer: South Carolina’s contract with Nike is for 10 years. This amount of time is pretty standard. South Carolina’s last deal with Under Armour was a 10-year contact.
Q: How much money is Nike’s contract with South Carolina worth?
A: The deal is worth $70 million. South Carolina will also receive $5 million in cash, $2.5 million in supplemental product and 15% of net sales.
Q: When does South Carolina’s deal with Nike go into effect?
A: South Carolina’s first day as Nike school will be on July 1, 2026. The Gamecocks will still be with Under Armour until that contract expires on June 30, 2026.
Q: Did South Carolina neogotiate with any other apparel providers?
A: No. USC athletic director Jeremiah Donati said the school only negotiated with Under Armour and Nike. Donati added that Nike’s offer wasn’t matched by Under Armour.
Q: Why did South Carolina switch from Under Armour to Nike?
A: Good question. Here’s what Donati had to say: “Their performance and their brand. There’s a few outfitters that are really only in the game, at this level, the Under Armour, Adidas, Nikes of the world. So we just felt like they were very much aligned with the things that we hold near and dear. We love their vision for us and ours with them. They’ve got a standard of excellence that we’re gonna have here. So for a lot of reasons, it just made sense.”
Q: Will South Carolina football wear Nike uniforms this year?
A: No. South Carolina’s contract with Under Armour won’t expire until June 2026, so each Gamecock sport still has one last season in the Under Armour uniforms before the switch to Nike.
Q: Is this South Carolina’s first time as a Nike school?
A: Not quite. South Carolina’s men’s basketball and women’s soccer teams both were outfitted by Nike during the 2000s before the switch to Under Armour. It is, however, the first time all of South Carolina’s teams will be wearing Nike.
Q: Does wearing Nike help South Carolina with recruiting or with NIL?
A: As of right now, it’s too early to say. “I would just say that’s top of mind for everybody and that’ll be something that both of Under Armour and Nike are very intentional about,” Donati said. “So when those opportunities come, we’ll make sure to take advantage.” Donati was asked if there is anything in the contract regarding NIL but only said, “There’s some options there that we’ll look through.”
Q: When can I buy some Nike-branded South Carolina apparel?
A: You likely won’t be able to grab any Nike-branded South Carolina gear until sometime after July 1, 2026. For reference, Auburn’s partnership with Nike began on July 1 this year but fans couldn’t buy merchandise online or in stores until July 25. So it’s safe to say Gamecock fans can expect Nike gear to be available within a month of the partnership starting, at a minimum.
Q: Will Nike redo South Carolina’s jerseys?
A: Yes. Nike is planning to refresh South Carolina’s jerseys. Nike will provide a full redesign of Gamecock football’s uniforms (minimum of three) and will also provide a “special alternate” jersey. Nike will also do a full redesign of the South Carolina women’s basketball uniforms (minimum of four). The women’s basketball unis will be made using the same template used for the U.S. women’s national team’s uniforms in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Donati said the uniform overhauls will be a collaboration between Nike and USC, adding that “We’ve got some great traditions, and we’ve got some things, some elements, of course, that we like. So we’re not trying to start over. It’s not that.”
