Head coach Dawn Staley reacted to the deal between the University of South Carolina and Nike. It’s a 10-year, $70 million deal starting from this July as Nike becomes the official outfitter for all 21 athletic programs. With this signing, South Carolina and Under Armour’s two-decade partnership has come to an end.
The deal includes $5 million in cash compensation, $70 million in retail product allotment, $2.5 million in additional product support and 15% royalty on Nike merchandise sales. There are also performance-based bonuses depending on how deep the team goes in the NCAA Tournament from next season onwards.
On Wednesday, Staley reacted to the deal, saying:
“I mean we’re gonna, no other school’s gonna have what we have when it comes to Asia Wilson, but we’ll also be able to get the Kobe’s, the LeBron, we’ll get whatever shoe that Nike puts out, so I think it’s a pretty cool deal.”
When asked if she had any wishes the Nike can grant, she requested:
“The Staley 5’s. That gotta come back. We gotta make it happen. Retro my shoe Nike!”
As part of the deal with South Carolina, Nike will supply uniforms, footwear, and equipment for all sports. Moreover, they will also send new football and basketball uniform designs, will give access to Nike’s Sport Research Lab and a redesign of the Colonial Life Arena basketball court. Fans will also be able to purchase official Nike Gamecocks gear starting in 2026.
The contract also mentions that all South Carolina players will be required to wear A’ja Wilson’s signature Nike shoes. Wilson will be required to feature in marketing campaigns tied to the university.
Dawn Staley Not Named Among Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year finalists
Dawn Staley has led the Gamecocks impressively this season, with the latest win coming against the No. 9 USC Trojans in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Their overall season record now stands at 33-3 despite missing out on key players Ta’Niya Latson, Agot Makeer, and Maddy McDaniel in part during the season.
Staley arguably deserved to be named, but it seems she was snubbed for the Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year finalists.
Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies, Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins, Shea Ralph of the Vanderbilt Commodores, and Vic Schaefer of the Texas Longhorns were announced as the finalists this week.
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