The South Carolina Gamecocks are changing kit providers, ending a long-term agreement with Under Armour for a new partnership with sports giant Nike. South Carolina’s 10-year, $71.5 million deal began on July 1, 2016 and will run until June 2026.
REPORT: South Carolina is expected to switch from Under Armour to Nike ahead of the 2026-27 school year, per @postandcourier👀https://t.co/g6MwGHj4KM pic.twitter.com/7kQw7NPKPj
— On3 (@On3sports) August 21, 2025
Fans were quick to react to the news, with some welcoming it more than others.
“Sellouts 😂” joked one person.
“THANK YOU A’JA WILSON 🤙” said someone who seemed happy with the news.
“Everyone who’s anyone is leaving Nike,” said one fan who didn’t agree with the decision.
“Nike is woke. And has the worst athletes represent them. Hard pass,” complained another.
Some think this isn’t an upgrade for South Carolina, but a downgrade for Nike.
“Nike really went from Tennessee to South Carolina #HOLYAIRBALL,” wrote one fan.
“Now they can be taken seriously as a real school,” said an individual mockingly.
Not everyone has the same opinion; others see this as a good move for the Oregon sports giant.
“Bout time Nike kicked a struggling dinosaur to the curb (Tennessee) and brought in a rising star like USC,” pointed out one individual.
Shane Beamer praises South Carolina players for battling through team’s last scrimmage
Ahead of the start of the 2025 season, the South Carolina Gamecocks held their last preseason practice scrimmage. The situation was a difficult one, as bad weather hit Columbia, forcing a significant weather delay.
Despite this, they cracked on with training, and coach Shane Beamer praised his team for a great mentality in the final preparations of their season:
“I think an average, weak-minded team would’ve lost focus sitting in a weather delay for over an hour,” Beamer said. “Not these guys. They were fired up. We got better, got to see what we wanted to see, and had a physical day.”
In 2024, the Gamecocks showed glimpses of the team they can be, finishing with a 9-4 record and being the No. 15 team in the College Football Playoff poll. The second half of their regular season was immaculate, with six straight wins, which included three wins against ranked teams (Texas A&M, Missouri, and Clemson).
They come into 2025 with great expectations, especially surrounding their quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, who’s one of the early favorites for the Heisman Trophy.
South Carolina open their season on Aug. 31 against the Virginia Tech Hokies at 3 pm ET.
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