OT: Why does sponsor matter? Adidas vs Nike vs whoever

Nitt1300

Heisman
Nov 2, 2008
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JakkL

Senior
Sep 19, 2001
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Why does it matter to us the fans? When I buy PSU gear I buy it for the school colors or logo or whatever. I really don't care weather it is Adidas or Nike or UnderArmour or Puma or Converse or whoever.
It matters because Nike founder Knight bankrolls oregon athletics with money made off of selling PSU merchandise. The same goes for underarmor who's UMD alumni founders bankroll MD athletics. Yes. Nike paid us, but why would you ever want to help your opponent
 

Big_O

All-Conference
Jun 28, 2001
1,565
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I never cared for Nike products. I started with Addidas for my first pair of running shoes in Junior High track and used Addidas through HS and college. My track spikes in Jr. High and HS were Onitsuka Tigers, now known as Asics. My wrestling shoes IIRC were also Onitsuka. Where I lived Addidas was the most popular brand followed by Puma and Nike.

However, when it comes to Penn State gear, I could care less what the maker was. Most of what I have is not Nike and probably includes a few off brands. I no longer have much Penn State gear, though. Still have my ‘82 and ‘86 National Championship shirts in a drawer.
 
Apr 12, 2018
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It matters because Nike founder Knight bankrolls oregon athletics with money made off of selling PSU merchandise. The same goes for underarmor whose UMD alumni founders bankroll MD athletics. Yes. Nike paid us, but why would you ever want to help your opponent
Nike/Knight/Oregon had little/nothing to do with the final deci$ion : PSU gave Nike the opportunity to match the adidas offer sheet - Nike has had some revenue problems dating back a few years and wasn’t willing to pony up
 

retsio

Senior
Feb 18, 2003
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The quality of the team apparel was the most important issue for Russ Rose - no 'lesser made' stuff was accepted for his teams. This statement to the athletic dept. was then translated to every other sport for PSU. Nike complied - we will see what adidas will provide.
For us - the fan - many imitations are available as long as the company pays the royalties.
 

RolexKong

Senior
Aug 15, 2025
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Nike/Knight/Oregon had little/nothing to do with the final deci$ion : PSU gave Nike the opportunity to match the adidas offer sheet - Nike has had some revenue problems dating back a few years and wasn’t willing to pony up
Even with it's "revenue problems", Nike earns twice as much as Adidas, which has had it's own financial issues. The gap between the reports of what Adidas and Nike bid indicates that Adidas overpaid, something that isn't sitting too well in either Portland or Bavaria.