The Texas A&M athletic department is in the final year of its contract with Adidas as the school's uniform and equipment sponsor. According to the contract, which KBTX obtained through an open records request, the right of first refusal has already been discussed with Adidas. The contract began in 2022, and the apparel market has changed since then. Players can now earn name, image and likeness compensation, and programs are looking for more revenue to fund athlete revenue sharing.
A&M associate professor of sports management Jonathan Jensen said these changes will weigh heavily in the next negotiations, whether with Adidas or another manufacturer. Jensen said some schools are accepting less money from apparel deals and directing more into NIL. He said Texas A&M already earns more than all but two or three other schools, and that great players can drive attendance and playoff success.
Jensen also said other companies' logos on jerseys at some schools have reduced the apparel company's visibility and could lower the value of those partnerships. A&M has not adopted a jersey sponsorship. When asked, Alberts said there was no news on the future of jersey sponsorships at A&M. Jensen said holding off on a jersey patch could give the Aggies leverage in talks with an equipment partner.