This article was originally published on www.si.com/fannation/name-image-likeness as Tennessee’s Adidas deal adds lucrative NIL weapon to recruiting arsenal. Tennessee's new partnership with apparel brand adidas includes more than uniforms and shoe wear for Volunteers' athletics, it's also a major move in the Name, Image and Likeness space.

In its announcement, Tennessee said that Adidas would provide "unprecedented" NIL opportunities for athletes across all 20 of the school's varsity sports. In fact, Adidas will immediately start working toward securing NIL deals with Tennessee athletes during the 2025-26 athletic season.

After more than a decade, Tennessee announced it was returning to adidas as part of a 10-year contract. Through the agreement, though, the Vols will also be in position for NIL success. In the announcement,