Notre Dame Should "Just Do It" & Sign With Nike

Notre Dame's apparel deal with Under Armour is almost over and Nike should be the next move.

It is a pivotal time in college sports. The NCAA looks almost unrecognizable after the emergence of the transfer portal, NIL deals, conference realignment, and legalized gambling.

No school seems more acutely impacted by the crosscurrents of events than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Yet, administrators in South Bend, Indiana, appear to be navigating the changing landscape from a position of power.

Earlier today, Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated reported that Notre Dame's exclusive negotiating window with Under Armour has expired. The school's 10-year contract with Under Armour, believed to be worth $90 million, is set to end after the following athletic year.

This cannot come as a surprise to anyone who has followed Under Armour in recent years. As a result of its falling sales and stock price, the Baltimore-based brand has canceled deals with college athletic programs and professional sports leagues.

Notre Dame could still strike a new deal with Under Armour or return to adidas. The German company sponsored the Fighting Irish as recently as 2014. Or they could go the way of Boston College and sign with New Balance. All of which seems very unlikely.

Marcus Freeman leads his players onto the field / Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Since we're discussing prestigious universities, let us flaunt our philosophical prowess. Occam's razor is a philosophical principle stating that the simplest explanation is usually the best. In this scenario, Nike makes the most sense for Notre Dame.

The Beaverton-based brand has slowly taken over college and professional sports just as the Douglas Fir has enveloped much of the Pacific Northwest. Nike sponsors 120 college athletic programs, all three of the major American professional sports leagues, and many of the top athletes in the world.

In addition to having the most cachet (clout for our Gen Z readers), Nike has all the necessary infrastructure required for outfitting one of the country's most recognizable athletic programs. Everything from the NIL partnerships to the equipment would be top-of-the-line.

As Dellenger points out in his article, the matter will likely come down to the biggest bidder. Usually, apparel companies pay an annual licensing fee ranging from $5 million to $10 million for some of the powerhouse programs. Additionally, some schools receive a 10%-15% cut of royalties from merchandise sales, plus $2-$3 million in gear each year.

Over the next few years, Notre Dame is well-positioned to cash in on a new television deal, apparel sponsor, and conference thanks to its premier college football team. This should be a lay-up for Notre Dame, and it begins by signing with Nike in 2024.

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