That’s the reality behind the Volunteers’ upcoming apparel switch from the Swoosh to Adidas' three stripes, according to longtime Tennessee insider Wes Rucker. After 12 years with Nike, Tennessee’s contract gave the brand the right to counter any competing offer — and they didn’t.

Univ. of Tennessee athletics will switch from Nike to Adidas in 2026 as its official apparel supplier in a blockbuster 10-year deal that plans to make the Vols the brand’s flagship college program while paying its athletes for their name,