'We refuse to partner with someone who doesn't feel the same way' - Danny White stands up for Vols fans while announcing deal with Adidas

The Tennessee Vols officially announced on Wednesday that the program is switching apparel providers.

After a decade with Nike, Tennessee is officially returning to Adidas starting on July 1, 2026.

Vols athletic director Danny White commented on the new partnership in a statement.

“Our mission is to build the premier athletics department in the country and to lead the way in college sports. Partnering with adidas is an ideal fit, as their mission is to be the best sports brand in the world,” said White. “There is no denying the resurgence of Tennessee Athletics, powered by the greatest fan base in all of sports. Our strong licensing numbers, impressive television ratings, and sold-out venues all reflect this. adidas recognized our potential and responded with one of the best apparel deals in the history of college sports, prioritizing Vol Nation and the Tennessee brand."

"This partnership provides us with a significant advantage in the ever-evolving landscape of college sports. We take pride in our fan base and the competitive edge they offer us. We refuse to partner with someone who does not feel the same way."

It's unclear if White's comment about refusing to "partner with someone who does not feel the same way" about the Tennessee fan base and the competitive edge it provides was a shot at Nike. But it's certainly an interesting comment to include in the statement announcing the deal.

Either way, while this deal likely won't be popular with many Vols fans -- Nike was by far the more popular choice -- it's clearly a move that White believes is in the best interest of Tennessee moving forward.

I don't think there are many athletic directors (if any) that want to win more desperately than White, which is why the pro-Nike Vols fans should feel confident that Tennessee is making the right decision, even if it's not the popular one.