Tennessee Athletics is now an adidas school, with the change from Nike completed. That means we’ll get a look at UT’s new uniforms across different sports in the transition to the new era.
However, there’s an aspect of the change that isn’t being talked about much that will have a far bigger impact than uniforms. Tennessee will also be changing from Nike balls to adidas in football and basketball.
While most aspects of footballs and basketballs at the college level are the same, no matter the brand, there are some differences. Particularly in basketball, different textures and other small details can create a different feel depending on the manufacturer.
More From RTI: Key Tennessee Football Lineman Receives Strong Preseason Honors
For football, the expected change would be to the adidas DIME game football. That’s the ball that Indiana just used to win the national title, and that adidas schools all play with. It is manufactured by Big Game USA, the largest American-owned football factory.
For basketball, the change would likely be to an adidas Pro Official Game Ball. That’s the ball that UT plays with in road games against the likes of Texas A&M and Mississippi State. That’s due to the home team getting to use their choice of game ball. For the NCAA Tournament, teams use the Wilson Evo NXT.
The partnership between UT and adidas begins on July 2, 2026, and runs for 10 years, effectively through the 2035-36 athletic year. Throughout the week, new jerseys will be revealed, with each day marking different colors and themes. While UT is switching to adidas, the university is still in control of the creative vision.
“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,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White said in a statement. “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.”
