Deion Sanders’ pledge to never wear Nike again will come to an end by contract mandate.
The Colorado head coach has a personal deal with Under Armour and helped convince Jackson State to switch from Nike to Under Armour when Sanders oversaw its football program. Colorado, however, is still very much a Nike school — and contract details revealed by The Athletic confirm Sanders will have to don the Swoosh.
Sanders’ requirement to not wear logos other than Nike in his official capacity as coach extend all the way to sunglasses. Language in the contract specifically says he isn’t allowed to cover up any Nike marks, but Coach Prime is allowed to maintain his Under Armour deal on the side.
During his playing career, Sanders was a Nike athlete but eventually swore off the company because he felt he wasn’t compensated properly for helping to design his signature cleat. Prime was also upset that Nike didn’t help him in funding youth football leagues. His current Under Armour deal goes back to 2009, and Sanders has said on several occasions since that he’d never wear Nike again.
“The University is aware of all of Coach’s existing sponsorship.endorsement deals, and to the extent any of those deals may have a conflict hereunder, their existence is not deemed a conflict,” the contract reads. “During the term of this Agreement, as long as the above-described existing sponsorship and endorsement deals are not deemed to conflict with University sponsorship/endorsement deals, Coach shall have the right to renew or extend the existing deals without restriction.”
Since taking the Colorado job, Sanders has been seen wearing Nike Colorado gear but has more often worn school apparel without any Nike logos. Of course, we still haven’t seen him on the sideline, which is where most eyes will be fixed come fall. Download the DROPS by SoleSavy app to stay informed on news from Nike and more.
