Hook ‘Em: Nike adds the University of Texas to its Blue Ribbon Elite NIL Program

Everything is bigger in Texas, even the NIL deals. With March Madness upon us, Nike is upping the ante on its new Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program, hooking the University of Texas Longhorns into a long-term deal that covers specific athletes across the UT athletics landscape, as well as an elite-level sponsorship for the university as a whole.

“This is such a unique, innovative, and awesome opportunity for our student-athletes to collaborate with Nike in their Blue Ribbon Elite program,” says Chris Del Conte, VP, Lois and Richard Folger Family Athletics Director, University of Texas. “We’re beyond grateful to Nike for extending this to us and for our longstanding relationship with them.”

Obviously, Kevin Durant is Nike’s closest to the Longhorns, with 18 signature shoes and counting under the future Hall of Famer’s belt. In the new deal, though, Nike skips over the Texas basketball team, with highlighted athlete sponsorships for players on the football team, softball team, baseball team, volleyball squad, golf team, and swim team. Don’t think the basketball squad is entirely left out. Durant and Nike recently announced a new NIL program for the Longhorns that covers hoopers, with Madison Booker being the first athlete under Team KD.

Nike launched the Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program with LSU at the end of last year, and we expect Nike to continue adding new colleges to the community as the months go on. For all the latest NIL news, make sure to stay tapped in with the Sole Retriever App.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com