What Nike has planned for South Carolina football

On Friday, the University of South Carolina officially announced a contract with Nike for the sports apparel company to become the Gamecocks’ official athletics outfitters. Beginning on July 1, 2026, Nike will outfit all 21 of USC’s athletic teams. The new contract is set for 10 years. It holds an approximate cash and product value (without incentives or product opt-outs) of about $77.5 million.

Though cash ($5 million) and product (about $72.5 million) will generate the most headlines when discussing what South Carolina receives from the deal (along with the 15% royalty rate for the University), the official terms of the contract include more items of note, especially for football and women’s basketball.

Below is what Nike has planned for South Carolina football.

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According to the agreement details released by USC on Friday, the Gamecock football team has some new uniforms incoming.

Nike will provide South Carolina with “additional benefits” that include Nike Vapor uniforms (the same ones used in the NFL), NFL-style cleats, “a full redesign of its football uniform closet” (minimum three primary uniforms), an “alt football uniform” as part of a 15-team project during the first half of the contract, and access to the Nike Sport Research Lab.

Essentially, in addition to the contracted annual dollar amount and product allotment, the sports apparel giant will provide South Carolina with at least four football uniform designs, top-of-the-line uniforms and cleats, and access to the Nike Sport Research Lab.

Nike has the option to opt out of those extra benefits in exchange for cash.

Nike will promote South Carolina Athletics via advertising and other brand marketing. Specific language in the contract included the women’s basketball team and alum A’ja Wilson. However, there will be additional marketing and “brand exposure” of the University’s other sports, especially football.

Because Under Armour created the font currently used on most of South Carolina’s current uniforms, a redesign is likely coming. In-game and in-stadium Nike branding is on the way, too.

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There will also be opportunities for USC to earn additional money from Nike via incentives.

Specifically for the Gridiron Gamecocks, the contract allows for extra payments based on postseason success.

Playing in the SEC Championship Game would net South Carolina $10,000. Winning the conference would then result in an additional $20,000 check.

A berth in the College Football Playoff’s first round would yield a $10,000 payout. That number would grow to $15,000 in the second round, $25,000 for the semifinal, and $50,000 for the CFP National Championship Game. Winning a national title would result in a $100,000 payment.

All of those incentives are cumulative/stackable.

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