Notre Dame Signs New Five Year Deal With Adidas
The agreement continues a four-year relationship with adidas that began in 1997-98 .

April 28, 2001

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame and adidas have entered into a new, five-year agreement in which adidas will supply footwear and apparel for all 26 Irish varsity athletic teams beginning with the 2001-02 academic year.

The agreement continues a four-year relationship with adidas that began in 1997-98 when adidas began providing footwear for all Notre Dame teams. Champion Products has been providing uniforms for Notre Dame teams in football, men’s and women’s basketball, softball and cheerleading — with the relationship in football going back more than 50 years.

“Notre Dame has had a long-standing relationship with Champion. They have been a great partner for our athletic teams,” said Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White.

“It was our desire to create a marketing partnership with a company that could supply both footwear and apparel. Very simply, Champion is not in the shoe business, so we looked exclusively to adidas, based on the strong relationship that was forged with them four years ago.

“We’ve been extremely pleased with what Notre Dame and adidas have been able to accomplish while working together, and we fully expect that this extended relationship will only strengthen each of our respective positions.”

Champion expects to maintain a relationship with the University — with both adidas and Champion continuing their arrangements to sell licensed apparel and accessories bearing the Notre Dame trademark.