PORTLAND Ore.
Adidas just did it again.
Texas A&M has signed a contract with Adidas, the company
told The Associated Press on Monday. This is the second major university in
less than a week to end its relationship with Nike Inc. and move on with Adidas
AG.
“We believe college sport is very important,” said
Erich Stamminger, president and chief executive officer of the Adidas brand.
The terms of the contract were not immediately available.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Adidas,” said
Drew Martin, assistant athletic director for branding and creative development
at Texas A&M.
Earlier this month, the University
of Michigan ended its relationship
with Nike and signed an eight-year contract with Adidas. The Adidas deal was
valued at $60 million in cash and merchandise, plus a $6.5 million signing
bonus the company’s largest university deal to date.
Adidas said its goal is to “enter all school agreements
with marquee programs that stand for performance, reflecting our mission to be
the leading sports brand in the world”.
Nike informed Texas A&M months ago that it would not
match the Adidas bid, according to the university’s Web site. The Texas A&M
System Board of Regents considered contract offers from Nike, Adidas and Easton
Sports Inc.
The deal strengthens Adidas’ presence in the Big 12, with
the Aggies becoming the third school in the conference along with Texas
and Nebraska to contract with the
German company, which has its U.S.
headquarters in Portland.
Adidas also has marketing agreements with schools such
as Notre Dame, UCLA, Tennessee, Indiana and Wisconsin.
– Associated Press
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