College athlete shoe deals in NIL era get stepped on by lucrative school contracts with big brands

Limiting athletes to the brand with which their school is affiliated creates two problems: first, it prevents athletes from achieving their full NIL earning potential because they can’t wear the shoes in competition, when they get the most attention. Second, an athlete’s performance could be compromised if the shoe she’s wearing doesn’t fit properly.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Harper Murray puts on her Adidas volleyball shoes when she practices or plays in a match for Nebraska, one of the top teams in the country. It’s not necessarily the brand she would choose; it’s because the German company is her school’s official supplier and athletes, coaches and staff are required to wear its products.

Texas’s Reilly Heinrich and Virginia’s Ashley Le wear Nikes because their schools are under contract with the shoe giant. Heinrich actually wears basketball shoes bearing the familiar swoosh because she says they fit better than Nike’s volleyball shoes.

All three also are brand ambassadors for a  today!

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