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NIL

Longhorns star Reese Atwood denies report of NIL tampering from Texas Tech

The Texas Tech softball program has been making waves nationally. They came up just short of winning the College Softball World Series, then took that momentum to the recruiting trail. Since their heartbreaking loss to rival Texas, head coach Gerry Glasco has aggressively pursued the transfer portal. Glasco and company have secured commitments from four […]

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The Texas Tech softball program has been making waves nationally. They came up just short of winning the College Softball World Series, then took that momentum to the recruiting trail. Since their heartbreaking loss to rival Texas, head coach Gerry Glasco has aggressively pursued the transfer portal.

Glasco and company have secured commitments from four of the top ten rated players in the portal, and their fifth is rated inside the top 30. Leading the reloading efforts is sophomore pitcher Kaitlyn Terry, who went 20-5 with a 2.64 ERA for UCLA. Taylor Pannell is an All-American third baseman from Tennessee. Last year, she batted .398 with 16 home runs and 65 RBIs. Next, the Red Raiders secured a Buckeye, catcher Jasmyn Burns, who was fourth in the country last year with 25 home runs. To round out their top four, Tech brought in another All-American in Mia Williams, formerly a Florida Gator. She had 19 homers and 44 RBIs last season.

Any time a team goes on a recruiting run like Tech just did, rumors of tampering are sure to arise. With reports that Tech is spending over $55 million in NIL and revenue sharing across all its sports this year alone, it certainly doesn’t help to mitigate the rumor mill.

Recently, Softball On SI reported that Texas Tech’s collective, The Matador Club, along with coach Nathan Nelson of Hotshots Fastpitch, a travel organization based in Texas, had been involved in actively recruiting players on other rosters. The On SI report suggested that Texas Tech was using third parties like the Matador Club and Nelson as a loophole to recruit players who had not yet entered the transfer portal, something that would violate NCAA rules. The report indicated that Texas Longhorn Slugger Reese Atwood was one of those players who was contacted by a third party representing Texas Tech, but Atwood pushed back on that report.

“I was never contacted by Nathan Nelson regarding anything related to playing softball at Texas Tech… I won’t be responding to any further comments about a false article,” Atwood said via text to the Austin American-Statesman.

Although Atwood denies the report, Softball On SI says it also spoke to the parent of a player who says they were contacted by Nelson and offered a six-figure deal to transfer to Texas Tech.

 “I know for 100 percent fact that there were kids in April, and even earlier than that, signed. Nathan Nelson told me before April 7, they were signing kids from other schools while they were playing with other teams to go to Texas Tech in 2026.”

While the denial from Atwood contradicts at least part of what was reported by Softball On SI, that denial has done little to change the minds of the critics. Over the last two weeks, social media has been flooded with folks who believe Texas Tech is crossing the line of what’s acceptable in collegiate recruiting. Others say that Texas Tech is only doing what other programs have been doing for decades. And while the rumors and accusations continue to fly, Texas Tech remains aggressive in its pursuit of championship talent.

– Enjoy more Texas Tech coverage on Texas Tech On SI –

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Texas Tech takes national spotlight for aggressive NIL approach, as critics cry foul

Texas Tech QB Behren Morton’s big arm on par with C.J. Stroud, Patrick Mahomes

Texas Tech quarterback recruit has championship goals for Red Raider program





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Tennessee to reunite with Adidas as apparel partner in 2026

Tennessee is returning to a familiar face on the clothing front. The university announced Wednesday afternoon that is reuniting with Adidas as the official footwear, uniform, apparel and sideline partner of Volunteers and Lady Vols athletic teams. The 10-year agreement will go into effect on July 1, 2026. “Our mission is to build the premier […]

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Tennessee to reunite with Adidas as apparel partner in 2026

Tennessee is returning to a familiar face on the clothing front.

The university announced Wednesday afternoon that is reuniting with Adidas as the official footwear, uniform, apparel and sideline partner of Volunteers and Lady Vols athletic teams. The 10-year agreement will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

“Our mission is to build the premier athletics department in the country and to lead the way in college sports,” Tennessee athletic director Danny White said through a release. “Partnering with adidas is an ideal fit, as is their mission to be the best sports brand in the world. There is no denying the resurgence of Tennessee athletics, which is powered by the greatest fan base in all of sports. Our strong licensing numbers, impressive television ratings, and sold-out venues all reflect this. We appreciate that adidas recognized our potential and responded with one of the best apparel deals in the history of college sports, prioritizing Vol Nation and the Tennessee brand.

“This partnership provides us with a significant advantage in the ever-evolving landscape of college sports. We take pride in our fan base and the competitive edge they offer us. We refuse to partner with someone who does not feel the same way.”

Tennessee and Adidas partnered from 1995 to 2014, with that stretch highlighted by the Vols winning college football’s national championship for the 1998 season and Pat Summitt guiding the Lady Vols to five of her eight national crowns in women’s basketball. The school then linked with Nike for what will wind up being a 12-year run.

Candace Parker was the star of Tennessee’s 2007 and 2008 national championship teams, and Adidas named her the company’s president of women’s basketball on May 8, 2024.

“This marks an important moment for our organization as we reestablish our partnership with the University of Tennessee, which shares our commitment to providing student athletes and fans with best-in-class product and opportunities that not only elevate college athletics, but redefine the future of college sports,” John Miller, the Adidas president for North America, said in the release.

According to the release, the partnership between Tennessee and Adidas will offer “unprecedented NIL opportunities for student-athletes across all 20 of the university’s varsity programs.” Tennessee is scheduled to receive $1.2 million in base compensation during its final year with Nike and $4.5 million in annual product allotment, but terms of the Adidas pact were not immediately known.

Fox Sports Knoxville reported in May that Tennessee was mulling a new apparel deal with Adidas and that the likelihood of a departure from Nike was “high.”

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.

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Tennessee athletics switching from to Adidas from Nike in 2026

University of Tennessee athletics will switch from Nike to Adidas in 2026 as its official apparel supplier. Knox News reported the 10-year deal along with an exclusive interview with Chris McGuire, Adidas Vice President of Sports Marketing. UT and Adidas made the official announcement on Aug. 13. Adidas will become UT’s official footwear, uniform, apparel and […]

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University of Tennessee athletics will switch from Nike to Adidas in 2026 as its official apparel supplier.

Knox News reported the 10-year deal along with an exclusive interview with Chris McGuire, Adidas Vice President of Sports Marketing. UT and Adidas made the official announcement on Aug. 13.

Adidas will become UT’s official footwear, uniform, apparel and sideline partner, beginning July 1, 2026. It had previously served as the Vols’ apparel provider from 1995 to 2015.

Nike will remain the Vols’ apparel and uniform supplier for the 2025-26 academic year while UT prepares for the switch to Adidas. Nike did not make a counter offer to the Adidas bid.

INSIDE ADIDAS PLAN NIL boost, marketing campaign, signature Vols shoe

Who will design Tennessee uniforms?

UT designs its own uniforms in house and collaborates with the brand to bring them to the field, the court and official team stores.

That doesn’t guarantee that fans will like every uniform design. But it does ensure that UT won’t be caught off guard by a color scheme or design that it did not intend.

The change from Nike to Adidas could be a divisive decision among UT fans.

During the previous partnership, there were highs like the Vols wearing Adidas football jerseys during the 1998 national title season. And there were lows like the awkward uniform designs during sub-par football seasons late in the Adidas era.

But the Adidas contract will help fund UT’s revenue sharing pool to pay athletes.

Plus, Adidas prioritizes college sports, so it could open doors to national branding campaigns for elite UT athletes with signature NIL deals. At Nike, most of those opportunities were reserved for NFL and NBA players.

That’s a new concept in the NIL era, where schools can facilitate corporate contracts for their athletes. National campaigns then feature those college athletes in ways they couldn’t do in the previous era.

How Tennessee let Nike go

UT’s contract with Nike runs through June 30, 2026, according to the amendment provided by the university to Knox News.

The deal was initially set to run through 2023, but former AD Dave Hart signed an extension through the 2025-26 academic year.

Nike is scheduled to pay Tennessee $1.2 million in base compensation in 2025-26, with an annual product allotment of $4.5 million. UT gets an annual Nike ELITE credit of $100,000 for the athletics department and an additional $100,000 for football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and administration.

Per the contract, UT and Nike began negotiations for extending the deal in late 2024. But that exclusive negotiating window ended March 30.

That’s when Adidas and other brands came into the picture. Nike could’ve matched the highest bid, but it did not.

The Vols are a popular brand in college sports. They have an enormous fan base and enjoy the widespread exposure of the SEC. That made UT a coveted client, and Adidas submitted a bid that wouldn’t be beaten.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.





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Indiana’s Louis Moore gets initial court win over NCAA

A judge on Wednesday granted a temporary restraining order allowing Indiana safety Louis Moore to practice with the Hoosiers for the next 14 days, a significant win for the 24-year-old challenging the NCAA’s five-year eligibility rule. Moore, who started games at both Ole Miss and Indiana, recently filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in district […]

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A judge on Wednesday granted a temporary restraining order allowing Indiana safety Louis Moore to practice with the Hoosiers for the next 14 days, a significant win for the 24-year-old challenging the NCAA’s five-year eligibility rule.

Moore, who started games at both Ole Miss and Indiana, recently filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in district court in Dallas County, Texas, arguing his three years at Navarro Junior College in Texas should not count against his eligibility. Moore also cited potential losses in earnings of around $400,000 from NIL deals.

Moore, who is currently enrolled at IU, graduated from Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas, and attended Navarro from 2019 to 2022. He played football there, redshirted and was injured, and went to IU, where he played in 2022 and 2023. After his second year at IU, he transferred to Ole Miss for his third season of NCAA football (2024). He stated in his lawsuit that he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 27, 2024, because multiple schools advised him the recent court ruling for Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia would also allow Moore another season of eligibility.

Wednesday’s ruling was a major step closer to that. An injunction hearing on Aug. 27 will determine if Moore is eligible to play this season.

“They’re like a broken record,” Brian P. Lauten, one of Moore’s attorneys, told ESPN. “They keep making the same argument but expecting a different outcome. The NCAA is on the wrong side of this issue. … It violates the Sherman Antitrust Act and they keep making the same argument expecting a different result when what they should be doing is saying, ‘All right, now that some people are getting to play because our legal arguments don’t hold water, we need to have a uniform rule that makes it fair to everyone.'”



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Adidas switch comes with immediate NIL benefits for Tennessee

Tennessee won’t have to wait until next summer to reap the reward of switching from Nike to Adidas as its apparel provider. In announcing the 10-year deal with the three stripes that will be effective July 1, 2026, Tennessee also revealed that Adidas will immediately become involved in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals with […]

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August 13, 2025

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Tennessee won’t have to wait until next summer to reap the reward of switching from Nike to Adidas as its apparel provider. In announcing the 10-year deal with the three stripes that will be effective July 1, 2026, Tennessee also revealed that Adidas will immediately become involved in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals with its student-athletes for the 2025-26 academic and athletic year. It expands the partnership between the two entities beyond just uniforms and apparel and better suits the current landscape of college athletics where athlete compensation is paramount to competing for championships in the most prominent sports.

The House settlement earlier this summer ushered in the revenue-sharing era of college sports, and Tennessee and other schools now can distribute up to $20.5 million (and more in the future) to its teams however it sees fit. But the NIL game introduced to college sports in 2021 isn’t going anywhere. The richest and most competitive schools – Tennessee, with its revenue this year nearing $280 million, considers itself in that echelon – undoubtedly will use it on top of the revenue-sharing checks to attract and keep top talent.

That aspect of the Adidas deal surely had to be appealing for Tennessee and athletic director Danny White, who earlier this year vowed that the Vols and Lady Vols were “as competitive as anyone” in college sports.

According to Tennessee’s release, Adidas “will offer unprecedented NIL opportunities for student-athletes across all 20 of the University’s varsity program” and already “is working to land NIL deals with Tennessee student-athletes during the 2025-2026 school year.”

“The role of a college athletics sideline partner has changed dramatically in the 11 years since we last partnered with Tennessee Athletics,” said Chris McGuire, adidas Vice President of Sports Marketing, North America. “adidas is establishing a new standard for investment in NIL with this partnership that will sustain UT’s powerful athletics program as the university continues competing for championships for years to come.”

Once the partnership officially begins next summer, Tennessee athletes will be eligible to participate in the Adidas NIL Ambassador Network, “which gives all student-athletes at adidas-partnered Division I schools the chance to benefit from their Name, Image and Likeness.”

Tennessee’s past partnership with Adidas (1995-2014) included the 1998 football national championship and back-to-back women’s basketball national titles (2007-08). The athletic department is currently in perhaps its best-ever stretch of collective success with Directors Cup finishes of No. 6, No. 3 and No. 6 in the past three years. The run has included two top-10 finishes in football, two Elite Eight appearances in men’s basketball, the 2024 national championship in baseball, two Women’s College World series appearances in the past three years in softball and the resurgence of the Lady Vols basketball program last season.

“From my days rocking the orange and white to now leading on and off the court, adidas has always had my back with the best gear and support,” said Lady Vol basketball legend Candace Parker, the President of Women’s Basketball for Adidas. “Seeing adidas link back up with Tennessee feels like coming full circle. I know this partnership is going to open a ton of doors for the next generation of Vols — and I couldn’t be more hype about it.”



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Early Lineup Look

The 2024-25 season was the best ever for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers set program records at the NCAA Championships with their highest finish (2nd), the most individual NCAA champions (2), the most All-Americans (8), and the most points (117). And they might be better this season. Head coach Mark Manning lost All-American Caleb Smith (125) and […]

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Early Lineup Look

The 2024-25 season was the best ever for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers set program records at the NCAA Championships with their highest finish (2nd), the most individual NCAA champions (2), the most All-Americans (8), and the most points (117).

And they might be better this season.

Head coach Mark Manning lost All-American Caleb Smith (125) and NCAA champion Ridge Lovett (149) to graduation, but gained Chance Lamer (Cal Poly) and AJ Ferrari (Cal State-Bakersfield) through the transfer portal. 

The team returns seven All-Americans and eight national qualifiers, including NCAA champions Antrell Taylor and Ferrari. 

“Our team has put in a great summer — a lot like last year,” Manning said. “They made great strides in their development. They’re super excited about this season, and they know there’s a lot out there for them. We’re looking forward to maximizing our potential and being the best version of ourselves.”

The team’s biggest acquisition was Ferrari, who finished first and third at the NCAA Championships at 197 pounds, but is moving up to 285 pounds for his junior season. Lamer will complete his career at Nebraska after stints at Michigan and Cal Poly. 

“AJ and Chance fit in well,” Manning said. “They like their time here, and they’re excited for the season. I think they are two important pieces of the puzzle for us. 

“AJ is a really good athlete. People know he’s strong and powerful, and I think he could be very effective at heavyweight. He brings a toughness to that weight class, and we’re happy to have AJ on our team. I think he’s been a missing piece for us.”

Nebraska will compete at the 2025 National Duals Invitational on November 15-16 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Duals are important because they allow fans to follow the team concept,” Manning said. “We’re proud to be part of this inaugural event.”

2025-26 Nebraska Overview

Head coach: Mark Manning (26th season)

Assistants: Bryan Snyder, Tervel Dlagnev, James Green, Brandon Bradley

2025 NCAA tournament finish: 2nd (program high)

2025 NCAA tournament record: 39-14

2025 NCAA tournament points: 117 (program record)

2025 Big Ten tournament finish: 2nd

2025 dual record: 11-3 (6-2 conference)

Returning All-Americans: 7 (Jacob Van Dee, Brock Hardy, Antrell Taylor, Christopher Minto, Silas Allred, Camden McDanel, AJ Ferrari)

Returning national qualifiers: 8 (Jacob Van Dee, Brock Hardy, Chance Lamer, Antrell Taylor, Christopher Minto, Silas Allred, Camden McDanel, AJ Ferrari)

Key Transfers: Chance Lamer (Cal Poly), AJ Ferrari (Cal State-Bakersfield)

Last NCAA champion(s): Ridge Lovett, Antrell Taylor (2025)

Highest NCAA team finish: 2nd (2025) (program high)

Highest NCAA team finish under Manning: 2nd (2025) (program high)

Most national placers in a season under Manning: 8 (2025) (program record)

Prospective Line-up

125 Pounds: Kael Lauridsen, FR, or Alan Koehler, SO
This weight isn’t set, and Manning has two quality options. Lauridsen was 6-4 last season with a 1-1 dual record behind All-American Caleb Smith, who graduated. Koehler was 16-5, including a 1-1 dual record. 

133 Pounds: Jacob Van Dee, JR, or Omar Ayoub, FR
Van Dee is the likely starter following an All-American run at the 2025 NCAA Championships. The Union City, Pennsylvania, native finished seventh at nationals after a 19-11 season. He could get pushed by Ayoub, who was 8-1 during his true freshman year. 

141 Pounds: Brock Hardy, SR
Hardy is a returning national finalist who finished the season 27-4. The Brigham City, Utah, native has been a force for the Huskers, finishing sixth, third, and second at the NCAA Championships. He can score loads of points and will be a fan favorite whenever he competes. 

149 Pounds: Chance Lamer, SR
Lamer will complete his career at Nebraska following two-year stints at Michigan and Cal Poly. He is a three-time national qualifier and two-time Round of 12 finisher. The Corvallis, Oregon, native isn’t eligible until the second semester, so expect Scott Robertson, Blake Cushing, and Dez Gartrell to fill in during the first semester and make a run for the spot in March. 

157 Pounds: Antrell Taylor, JR
Taylor won the 2025 NCAA Championships following a 27-4 season. He’s a two-time All-American who is looking to become the program’s first repeat champion (Jordan Burroughs won titles in 2009 and 2011). 

165 Pounds: Christopher Minto, SO or Jagger Condomitti, SR
Minto finished fourth at the 2025 NCAA Championships after a 24-7 season. He is the likely starter, but Condomitti will add depth and push for the spot during his senior season.

174 Pounds: LJ Araujo, FR
Araujo was 10-4 during his true freshman year following a credentialed high school career, including a bronze medal at the 2024 U20 World Championships. 

184 Pounds: Silas Allred, SR
Allred has been consistent for the Huskers, reaching the Round of 12 at nationals twice and finishing seventh last season with a 22-8 record. 

197: Camden McDanel, SO
McDanel finished eighth at the 2025 NCAA Championships during his redshirt freshman season with a 23-14 record. 

285: AJ Ferrari, JR or Harley Andrews, JR
Ferrari won the 2021 NCAA Championships for Oklahoma State at 197 pounds before finishing third at nationals in 2025 for Cal State-Bakersfield. He has a 50-2 career college record and is moving up to 285 pounds for the first time. Andrews gained 25 pounds over the summer and was the starter for the Huskers last season. He finished 11-16 and didn’t qualify for the NCAA Championships. 

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Tennessee Vols switching back to Adidas after it sunsets its apparel deal with Nike

With Tennessee’s agreement set to expire with Nike in 2026, the Vols will switch back to Adidas as the school’s apparel provider. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee is switching back to Adidas as the school’s apparel provider.  For the past 12 years, Tennessee partnered with Nike, but with that deal set to expire on June 30, […]

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Tennessee Vols switching back to Adidas after it sunsets its apparel deal with Nike

With Tennessee’s agreement set to expire with Nike in 2026, the Vols will switch back to Adidas as the school’s apparel provider.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee is switching back to Adidas as the school’s apparel provider. 

For the past 12 years, Tennessee partnered with Nike, but with that deal set to expire on June 30, 2026, the school will return to Adidas for the first time since 2014.

Tennessee Athletics announced the new partnership on Wednesday afternoon.

“Reuniting as partners for the first time since 2014, adidas and UT’s new 10-year agreement promises to uphold the rich traditions of the University of Tennessee’s athletic history while bringing new energy and industry-leading resources to the storied UT brand,” UT said. 

How do you feel about the swap? Tell us in the poll below! 

Under the new partnership, the university will receive $1.2 million in base compensation, along with $4.5 million in annual product allotment.

“Seeing Adidas link back up with Tennessee feels like coming full circle. I know this partnership is going to open a ton of doors for the next generation of Vols — and I couldn’t be more hype about it,”  said Lady Vols legend Candace Parker, who also serves as president of Adidas Women’s Basketball.

Tennessee becomes the latest high-profile program to join Adidas, following Texas A&M, which signed a deal in 2022 worth more than $47 million over five years.

The official switch will take place on July 1, 2026. 

“Our mission is to build the premier athletics department in the country and to lead the way in college sports. Partnering with Adidas is an ideal fit, as their mission is to be the best sports brand in the world,” Director of Athletics Danny White said. “There is no denying the resurgence of Tennessee Athletics, powered by the greatest fan base in all of sports. Our strong licensing numbers, impressive television ratings, and sold-out venues all reflect this. Adidas recognized our potential and responded with one of the best apparel deals in the history of college sports, prioritizing Vol Nation and the Tennessee brand.”

UT said Adidas will also work to set up NIL deals with athletes during the 2025-26 school year before the partnership begins.

“Once the partnership begins, every Tennessee student-athlete will be eligible to participate in adidas’ wide-sweeping NIL Ambassador Network, which gives all student-athletes at adidas-partnered Division I schools the chance to benefit from their Name, Image and Likeness,” UT said.

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