After 12 years with Nike, Tennessee athletics is headed back to a partnership with adidas. UT was formerly with the company from 1995-2014 before the switch. Now, it’s headed back to donning the three stripes on uniforms.
Lady Vols basketball legend Candace Parker is naturally a fan of the change. Not only did she wear adidas in her historic tenure with Tennessee, but she currently serves as the adidas President of Women’s Basketball. She made the following statement about her alma mater’s change:
“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 Candace Parker, two-time national champ with the Lady Vols and adidas President of Women’s Basketball. “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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In 2010, Parker became the first women’s basketball player to have a signature shoe with the company. Since, she has continued to release apparel with the brand as her stardom grew in the WNBA. In 2024, Parker announced her retirement from the league. Shortly after, she moved into the role with adidas.
“We are honored to be a part of Candace’s historic legacy as she transitions from signature athlete to this new leadership role within adidas Basketball,” Eric Wise, Global GM at adidas Basketball said in a statement at the time. “As a true innovator with a profound passion for the game, we are confident that she is a perfect fit to evolve the adidas Women’s Basketball business and catalyze a new era of growth and credibility for the brand.”
Parker played under Pat Summitt at Tennessee from 2004-2008. In that time, she was a two-time national champion and was twice named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. In her final 2008 season, she was named the AP Player of the Year, USBWA Player of the Year (2x), Naismith College Player of the Year, John R. Wooden Award winner (2x) and an All-American (3x).
Parker was a three-time WNBA champion as a pro with the LA Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. She was MVP in the first finals win and a two-time league MVP. She was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, as well.
