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Looking back at Tennessee's history with Adidas from Smokey Grey to 1998 national title
- Story by
- Looking back at Tennessee's history with Adidas from Smokey Grey to 1998 national title
1997
Tennessee and Adidas were on a break.
UT and the athletics giant are back together again , agreeing to a 10-year contract on Aug. 13 that will reunite the two for a second stint starting July 1, 2026.
Adidas was Tennessee's partner for 20 years, spanning its beginning in 1995 under athletics director Doug Dickey through Dave Hart's tenure. Now, it is part of Danny White's as the AD pivoted back to Adidas.
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Tennessee and Adidas were partners for 20 years
Tennessee and Adidas' first relationship began with a 10-year contract in 1995 that made the German-founded company the official supplier for the Vols. Knoxville-based company Sports Belle had previously supplied Tennessee.
UT renewed the contract in September 2004, extending it for five years to run through June 30, 2010. It was extended again to run through June 30, 2015.
Tennessee switched to Nike starting in 2015
Tennessee announced in January 2014 that it would switch to Nike for a department-wide apparel deal.
The deal was initially set to run through 2023, but former athletics director Dave Hart signed an extension in October 2016 that pushed the deal through the 2025-26 academic year.
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Tennessee had some of its highest highs wearing Adidas
Tennessee won three nationals title while donning Adidas uniforms.
UT's most recent football national title in 1998 was early in the Adidas contract. The Lady Vols won two of late coach Pat Summitt's six national championships in 2007-08.
IDEAL: Why did Tennessee switch from Nike to Adidas? Danny White explains the 'ideal fit'
Tennessee, Adidas partnership led to first Smokey Grey uniforms
Tennessee has worn Smokey Grey uniforms in three straight seasons. It has used the uniforms to honor Condredge Holloway, the state of Tennessee and the military.
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The first Smokey Grey uniforms were born in the Adidas era, though, as the Vols wore them against Georgia on Oct. 5, 2013.
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Tennessee had black uniforms in first deal with Adidas
Tennessee wore black uniforms in 2009 during its first round with Adidas. The Vols wore black alternate uniforms against the Gamecocks in a game on Halloween in 2009, matching a black jersey with orange pants and a white helmet in the 31-13 victory.
UT brought back black uniforms in 2021 under Nike and have worn them in every season since.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ ByMikeWilson . If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee-Adidas: History of Vols with athletics supplier
