Texas Tech's agreement with adidas to become the official apparel supplier for Texas Tech football and other sports teams is scheduled to run for the next 10 years. Presumably, the contract will be finalized sometime in the first year.
The long-form document between the two parties had not been signed and executed as of Thursday, but Tech athletics director Kirby Hocutt said earlier this week "it's getting very close."
"It's just legal counsel," Hocutt said. "Attorneys get involved. There's tweaks adjusted on language, on various stipulations. There is nothing to be concerned about."
In response to questions about the subject emailed earlier this week, adidas provided a statement. It read:
"We remain excited about our new 10-year partnership with Texas Tech. We do not comment on partnership agreements, but what we can share is that adidas is the apparel and accessories provider for Texas Tech. Athletics programs have already began wearing new adidas and Red Raiders apparel and product is available to fans at adidas.com/us/Texas_Tech, local retailers and online retail partners."
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Tech sports teams, which had Under Armour as a partner since 2006 and as their official provider since 2009, have worn adidas uniforms and other apparel this season. The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents unanimously authorized the athletics department to enter into negotiations with the brand last November. Tech heavily promoted the switch, starting with a reveal of uniforms on July 1 and in weeks thereafter.
On Thursday, in conjunction with former Red Raiders star Patrick Mahomes, Tech unveiled a new uniform bearing the Mahomes Gladiator logo.
Hocutt said since Tech and adidas reached an agreement in principle there have been no changes to the financial terms or to those involving apparel and other merchandise. He said he saw communications last week that leads him to believe "we are very close to getting the long form signed."
"I would also say that in relationships such as this, that's a 10-year contract, it's not uncommon for a contract not to be signed months after the initiation date," he said, "so it's nothing that we're concerned about at all.
"Our relationship with adidas could not be better. We cannot be more pleased with how we've kicked off that partnership. It's a healthy one. It's going to continue to be a great one. It is just a part of the process of getting a long-form contract signed."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech's adidas contract still unsigned. The latest from each side
