UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Athletics and adidas have announced a transformational, 10-year partnership that will see adidas become the official footwear, uniform, apparel and sideline partner of the Nittany Lions.
This groundbreaking apparel partnership unites the Nittany Lions’ storied legacy of 84 national championships and 327 conference championships with adidas’ industry-leading innovation and vision. The union creates a commitment to elevating the student-athlete experience, enhancing fan engagement and expanding the reach of the Penn State brand. The agreement is effective July 1, 2026.
“Penn State Athletics has been blessed with incredible partners throughout our history, but today, we step into a bold new era,” said Patrick Kraft, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State University. “From the field to the court, the mat to the pitch, this partnership goes far beyond uniforms, it is unlike anything else in the marketplace. adidas is making an unprecedented commitment to Penn State: delivering record investment in our department, groundbreaking NIL and marketing opportunities, and access to technology and innovation that no other program can match. This agreement sets a new industry standard, fueling championship performances, empowering our student-athletes to grow their personal brands, and creating unmatched platforms for them to shine on the national and global stage. Together, we’re building something that will transform what’s possible for Penn State Athletics and for every student-athlete who wears the Blue & White.”
In 2024-25 alone, the Nittany Lions won two national championships, a CFP semifinal berth, three national semifinal appearances, seven conference championships and 18 NCAA Championship or playoff appearances. Penn State sets the championship standard in competition and in the classroom with 423 Academic All-Big Ten selections and 150 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars in 2024-25, and a Graduation Success Rate of 90% or higher in each of the last eight years. The championship potential only grows by pairing Penn State student-athletes with adidas’ best-in-class performance gear and innovative technology.
“adidas is committed to partnering with universities like Penn State that possess rich tradition and championship potential in equal measure. We see this new agreement as a unique opportunity for us to help shape the next chapter of Penn State Athletics while staying true to everything that makes the Nittany Lions an iconic brand,” said John Miller, adidas President, North America.
These two global brands are joining forces to shape the future of college athletics, working in tandem to provide student-athletes top-of-the-line product and marketing opportunities that meaningfully drive superior performance and championships. Though this is a new relationship, adidas already has Blue & White in its DNA with its ongoing partnerships with Nittany Lion football alumni Micah Parsons, Abdul Carter and former Penn State Women’s Volleyball standout and two-time national champion setter, Micha Hancock.
“Penn State helped mold me into the man I am today, and I’ve experienced firsthand how adidas invests in their athletes with the same championship mindset I adopted in Happy Valley. This partnership is about refusing to settle for anything less than the best for my fellow Nittany Lions — I can’t wait to watch us dominate in the Three Stripes,” said adidas partner and Penn State alum, Micah Parsons.
In the lead up to the partnership’s official commencement in 2026, Penn State and adidas will be prioritizing high-impact NIL agreements and brand marketing campaigns for student-athletes across all 31 sports, including the defending national champion women’s volleyball and wrestling programs.
“We are excited to partner with Penn State to equip all 800-plus Nittany Lion student-athletes with top-of-the-line products and industry-leading NIL opportunities. They'll join adidas' robust roster of athlete partners, including Penn State alums Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter, who've seen firsthand our commitment to realizing their aspirations both on and off the field,” said Chris McGuire, adidas Vice President of Sports Marketing, North America.
Once the partnership begins, all 800-plus Penn State student-athletes will be eligible to participate in adidas’ wide-ranging NIL Ambassador Network, which gives all student-athletes at adidas-partnered Division I schools the chance to benefit from their Name, Image and Likeness.
The power of the 800,000 living Penn State alumni combined with adidas’ commitment to dynamic retail and fan engagement will inspire the creation of a broader collection of Penn State fan apparel and footwear when the partnership officially begins next summer.
About adidas
adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany, the company employs more than 62,000 people across the globe and generated sales of €23.7 billion in 2024. For more information, please visit www.adidas-Group.com.
About Penn State Athletics
Under the leadership of Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Patrick Kraft, Penn State has one of the nation's most comprehensive and successful athletic programs, featuring 800-plus student-athletes across 31 varsity programs (16 men's, 15 women's). The Nittany Lions' 31 programs are tied for the fourth-highest number of sports sponsored by a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institution.
Penn State student-athletes earned a record-tying 93% NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and 11 programs earned perfect 100% ratings in the 2024 report. This is the eighth consecutive year the Nittany Lions have posted a record or record-tying performance in the classroom. Penn State is one of only eight schools that have won at least 10 NCAA Championships since 2013 and earned at least a 90% GSR in the 2024 NCAA report (California, Florida, North Carolina, Stanford, USC, UCLA, Virginia).