South Carolina to vote on athletics apparel agreement

On Friday, the University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees will vote on a potential agreement with a new apparel provider. Per an announcement from the University, after the initial minutes approval from the previous meeting, the BOT will vote to finalize an “athletics department employee agreement” for new Deputy Athletics Director Wesley Mallette and then will vote on an athletics “apparel agreement.”

South Carolina has been with Under Armour since 2007. The Gamecocks re-upped with the outfitter in 2016 on a 10-year deal worth around $70 million in cash and apparel/product. That deal expires on June 30, 2026.

However, Under Armour has been somewhat pulling out of the collegiate apparel game. Schools like Auburn, Boston College, Cincinnati, and UCLA all recently left an Under Armour partnership.

You can read GamecockCentral’s Chris Clark’s story on the Gamecocks’ athletic apparel situation here.

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Nike, its affiliate Jordan Brand, and Adidas are the largest outfitters in major collegiate sports. One of these brands, Nike, has several existing ties to the Gamecocks.

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has had multiple partnerships over the years with Nike.

New University of South Carolina AD Jeremiah Donati came from a Nike school when moving over from TCU this winter. Mallette also came from a Nike school. When he was the AD at UC-Riverside, Mallette helped facilitate an agreement with Nike and BSN Sports.

Friday’s vote will not mean that the 2025-2026 school year will see the Gamecocks in new uniforms. No matter which company outfits USC in the future, the current contract with Under Armour runs through next summer. That means, barring something unforeseen, Friday’s announcement won’t affect Carolina’s uniforms until the 2026-2027 school year.

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