July 7, 2015
Nashville, Tenn. – Vanderbilt has expanded its agreement with apparel provider Nike through the year 2023.
The new deal will provide an enhanced support of the entire Commodores’ athletic department and comes one year after VU signed a Nike-exclusive, department-wide deal that saw all 15 varsity sports move to exclusively using Nike apparel.
“We are very excited to expand our agreement with Nike,” Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs/Athletics Director David Williams said. “This partnership with a fellow world class brand will benefit our student-athletes greatly in their competitions. Our teams play at a championship level and Nike offers a championship product, it’s a great fit.”
Vanderbilt enjoyed a banner year during the 2014-15 season led by the women’s tennis team, who captured the school’s third national championship. The VU baseball team played in the national championship series for the second straight season and posted the team’s third consecutive 50-win season. The men’s golf team was a top overall seed in the NCAA tournament and finished fifth in the nation to give the Commodores three teams finishing in the top five in the nation. In total, nine Vanderbilt teams participated in the postseason.
“This is a partnership that has a positive impact on all of our teams,” Sr. Associate AD for External Affairs Steve Walsh said. “We look forward to continuing to work with Nike to build the Vanderbilt Commodores brand regionally, nationally and internationally.”
The Commodores along with the rest of the Southeastern Conference received unprecedented national exposure during the 2014-15 season thanks to the SEC Network. Vanderbilt teams appeared on national television 57 times in competition during the course of the last year.
Nike is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.
