For the past 18 years, as students or fans watched any South Carolina athletic event, they were greeted with the Under Armour logo right on the front of the Gamecocks' uniforms.
However, beginning over the summer of 2026, students will see the interlocking U and A replaced with a swoosh, the signature logo of the Nike brand.
While Under Armour provided South Carolina athletics with classic uniforms, such as the “Tribute to Cocky” for women’s basketball and throwback football jerseys similar to ones worn by George Rogers, players and coaches are excited to make the move.
Breaking down the details
The University of South Carolina announced a new sponsorship deal with Nike on Aug. 22 that will go into effect on July 1, 2026, and will last through 2036.
The details of the contract include $70 million in merchandise and $5 million in cash. Nike also agreed to work with the men’s and women’s basketball teams to provide them with A'ja Wilson apparel.
A bonus of up to $230,000 is awarded to the school if any of its major athletic teams, like football or basketball, are able to win the national championship.
Nike will replace the school's current sponsor Under Armour, who has been the school's sponsor since 2007. Under Armour could have matched the deal proposed by Nike, but elected not to, according to Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati.
This will not be the first time the Gamecocks have worn the famous swoosh logo, as both the men's basketball and women's soccer teams wore Nike uniforms in the early 2000s, according to the State newspaper.
Before the announcement of the partnership, South Carolina was the final remaining SEC school to be outfitted by Under Armour, as Auburn announced its own deal with Nike in 2024.
Beginning in 2026, 11 of the 16 SEC schools, including South Carolina, will wear the signature check mark on their uniforms.
Coaches' thoughts on Nike
With the switch coming, many different players and coaches have spoken about the switch in apparel. Head football coach Shane Beamer mentioned that the response from his team had been extremely positive following the announcement.
“A lot of excitement. Certainly grateful for our partnership with Under Armour for so many years, and they've been a great partner and a great friend to Carolina Athletics,” Beamer said. “But the response from our team and the response from recruits has been really, really, really positive.”
Beamer mentioned in a press conference in August that brand change is something that has played a role in recruiting.
“It's something that has come up with some recruits that we're recruiting right now,” Beamer said. “One of the questions in my office with some recruits on official visits was what the apparel contract looks like going forward.”
Other coaches, like women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley, took to social media to share their feelings on the new partnership.
Staley’s relationship with Nike goes back nearly 30 years. In 1998, she released a shoe of her own called the Nike Zoom S5. 27 years later, Wilson revealed her own signature Nike shoe this February.
Players praise the switch
Junior wide receiver Nyck Harbor talked about how recruits typically favor Nike over any other brand provided.
“Nike has been one of the favorite brands for a lot of people. So that's just going to bring a lot of good things to us,” Harbor said. "So that's just bigger for us, bigger for the university. Glad they got it done.”
Junior defensive back Brandon Cisse, who transferred in from North Carolina State this offseason, believes that Nike is the best there is and is excited to see what the brand has in store for the Gamecocks.
The Wolfpack are partnered with Adidas; if Cisse chooses to remain with the Gamecocks for his senior year, he will have worn all three of the major brands in his college career.
Sophomore defender Yvan Malarte said he and the rest of the soccer team are looking forward to the change in brands next season.
“Everyone is really excited about that,” Malarte said. “It's my favorite brand. I love Under Armour, but Nike is another step. I’m really happy.”
While many South Carolina student athletes are looking forward to the switch next season, some, like graduate student athlete Luke Doty, are disappointed they won’t be able to wear the new uniforms next year. However, they are still thrilled for those athletes coming back.
“Everybody is really fired up,” Doty said. “It's a cool opportunity for the guys that are still going to be here. Under Armour has been a great partner up to this point, and it's going to be cool to see that Nike check on the jerseys.”