Miami football program makes shocking uniform decision, ditches Adidas

Miami football program makes shocking uniform decision, ditches Adidas

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Miami football program makes shocking uniform decision, ditches Adidas

The Miami Hurricanes have a case for being the best team in the country in college football; the program is in a better place than it has been in years, and now it’s cashing in on an extremely lucrative deal. 

Reported by the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the University of Miami and Nike have agreed to reunite. The Canes are locking in a 10-year contract with the sports apparel giant that’s worth over $200 million total, roughly more than $20 million annually. 

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This deal comes as a major surprise, as Miami was with Adidas for the last 11 years, and was easily their biggest school. Adidas reportedly had a window to match Nike’s offer and even offered a deal that was “compelling.”

Despite Adidas’ efforts to retain the Canes, the two sides couldn’t come to terms. Now the rich get richer, as Nike brings in one of the most prominent athletics programs in the country, and easily a top-3 program in the ACC. 

Jackson highlighted that the rise of the football program and basketball program played a huge role in this deal. Nike and Miami have a history; this isn’t their first partnership. 

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From 1987 to 2015, the Hurricanes and Nike were partners, and Miami wore Nike for every sport. Now 11 years later, the two powerhouses join forces again, and Nike adds to their loaded roster of universities. 

Nike’s roster of prominent universities

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a catch during the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a catch during the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Now adding Miami, Nike has just about any big-time athletics university wearing their brand. The Canes join schools such as Ohio State, Texas, Duke, Oregon, LSU, and Alabama. That’s not even all of them. 

Adidas has huge programs like Tennessee, Indiana, Penn State, and Texas A&M. Even so, Nike’s roster beats theirs in both top-tier college brands and overall depth, especially now with Miami gone. 

Ohio State and Texas just played a thriller this past Saturday. It was by far the most-viewed game on the Week 2 slate, averaging 14 million viewers and peaking at 16.4 million. Both Nike schools, both national title contenders. It’s clear that the best sign with Nike.

Miami’s reemergence in the 2020’s 

NCAA Football: Florida A&M at Miami

Sep 10, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal gestures after defeating Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Just in this decade, the Hurricanes’ football team has made the national championship game and is on a 2 year streak of 10-win seasons. 

The basketball program has made huge leaps and even made the Final 4 in 2023. In three of the last five years, the Canes men’s basketball team has totaled 26 or more wins. 

If there was ever a time to sign with Nike, it’s now for Miami.

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