Penn State Fans Question Potential Move Away From Nike

Could Penn State be replacing the swoosh with the 3 stripes? According to a report by On3's Brett McMurphy, it might. McMurphy reported Tuesday that Penn State will switch apparel companies from Nike to Adidas, potentially ending a relationship that dates to 1993, when the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten and became one of Nike's first apparel contracts.

"Penn State Athletics is conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP) for its future apparel partnership
and evaluating various opportunities," the athletic department said in a statement. "This process will enable Penn State Athletics to identify the best partner to support our student-athletes, coaches and fans."

High-revenue deals require approval of Penn State's Board of Trustees, which next meets Sept. 11-12 in State College, so the deal isn't finished yet. Penn State has not released details of its Nike contract for decades, saying that Pennsylvania right-to-know laws do not apply the agreement. In 2014, Lancaster Newspapers reported that terms of the agreement were embargoed for 20 years.

The potential end of an era at Penn State

If Penn State changes apparel companies, it would mark the end of a 32-year relationship forged by two leaders of their day. Phil Knight, founder of Nike, and former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno built more than a brand bond in 1993, when they came to their first agreement. They developed a friendship that extended for decades.

Nike donated $400,000 to Penn State's library when Paterno after his 400th career game in 2010, and Knight spoke at the public memorial for Paterno at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center in 2012. Former Penn State equipment manager Brad Caldwell detailed the origin of the Penn State-Nike deal in this interview with Andrew Kalista.