Those smoke uniforms the University of Miami unveiled this season?
Collectors' items or trash-heap material. You decide.
Multiple sources told the Miami Herald on Sunday and Monday morning that the Hurricanes have switched apparel providers from Nike to Adidas.
UM will announce the deal on Thursday.
Adidas has already been canvassing athletic department personnel to find out what type of shoes and apparel are needed to suit each sport's needs. Almost all are pleased with the situation, though the Herald reported previously that some basketball recruits might be hesitant because they are associated with Nike shoes and uniforms.
"Significant,'' is the word one source associated with the situation used to describe the financial boost that the school will receive with Adidas compared to Nike.
The UM sports team budgets for apparel will be much, much larger.
One source told the Herald the contract is in the 10-year range. UM is a private university and does not have to disclose its financial dealings.
Arizona State recently switched from Nike to Adidas as well, and signed an eight-year contract that starts in July 2015 and is worth $33.8 million or $4,225,000 annually, according to the Arizona Rebublic.
Miami has been contracted with Nike since 1987, but between the extra millions UM will make and the more apparel and better attention it believes it will get with Adidas made the deal impossible to refuse, sources said.
The Hurricanes will begin using the new apparel going into next football season.
SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN
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