CMU Athletics Agrees to Adidas Partnership

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University's Athletics Department has announced it will enter into an exclusive apparel and shoe agreement with Adidas.

The proposed deal was approved by the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees on Thursday.

The agreement would outfit all of CMU’s varsity athletics programs in Adidas apparel and footwear, provide the university substantial savings on game uniforms, practice apparel and shoes, and bring consistency to color, design and logo usage on CMU’s uniforms and apparel.

“This agreement with a nationally known leader in the apparel industry like Adidas further illustrates our drive to enhance the regional and national recognition of Central Michigan University and especially our athletic programs,” said CMU Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. “It’s also an agreement that will benefit many different areas of campus that serve our overall student body on a daily basis. Reaching this agreement has been a collaborative effort of many departments on campus.

“While this is a tremendous marketing venture, it is also a very prudent business move for our program,” he added. “The partnership with Adidas increases to a much higher level our purchasing power and our ability to outfit CMU student-athletes. An added result of the partnership will be consistent uniform and color combinations across our programs and an opportunity to grow the CMU brand.”

The agreement with Adidas marks the first time all of CMU’s varsity athletics programs have been included in a single, all-encompassing apparel agreement. The utilization of a single vendor for all programs will ensure consistency in image branding, particularly uniform and apparel colors and design elements, throughout the athletics department and across campus. Each of CMU’s programs will receive equal treatment in the allocation of apparel and shoes under the agreement.

The contract also addresses budgetary concerns within the athletics department, allowing the department to effectively control cost growth while providing the best available products to all its student-athletes.

The special apparel pricing available to CMU Athletics also will be extended to club sport programs, intramurals and other campus groups.

“The thing that I’m most excited about is the opportunity to brand our 34 sport clubs and intramural programs along with our varsity programs,” said Director of University Recreation Stan Shingles. “This is the first time that we’ve been able to do that. I’m extremely excited about partnering with Adidas and think it is a great opportunity for Central Michigan University.”

The agreement also includes extensive retail opportunities for the university bookstore.

“I am very excited about the all-sports deal that has been reached between CMU Athletics and Adidas,” said CMU Bookstore Director Barry Waters. “This deal will benefit the entire CMU community because Adidas is a solid brand, and their merchandise will be a fresh change for our market. Their price points are very attractive to our customers, they have high quality merchandise and their selection covers men, women and children.”

The agreement with Adidas will take effect beginning with the 2009-10 academic year.