adidas continues its commitment to the future of student-athletes. In March, the Three Stripes announced its name, image, and likeness (NIL) program in hopes of a more equitable & inclusive future for student-athletes.
On July 26, adidas unveiled its 15 student-athletes as a part of their inaugural NIL class, composed of all women. The 15 student-athletes will participate in a new mentorship program, created in collaboration with basketball icon & long-term adidas partner Candace Parker as part of her vision to push the game forward.??
adidas also announced the brand is expanding its partnership with Athlete Ally?to facilitate outreach and workshops at additional adidas-partnered college campuses. This will drive education, policy reform, and organizing of student-athletes to spur equity on campus and in sports with the goal of expanding Athlete Ally’s network of college chapters.
As a leading global sports brand, we’re focused on creating long-term equity in sport. That means both investing in the next generation of athletes today and also supporting them in the future.
We welcome this group of powerful student-athletes to the adidas family and look forward to working alongside them to define what is possible for the future of sport.
Rupert Campbell, President of adidas North America
Additionally, the announcement lines up with the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark Education Amendment that prohibits discrimination against students based on sex.
There is no place in sport for discrimination and we continue to see far too many instances of it today and the heavy impact it has on young athletes.
The investment in women and LGBTQI+ athletes is a genuine push to accelerate the success and well-being of all athletes and I’m proud to be involved as part of the adidas family in this step towards long-term equity.
Billie Jean King, adidas partner & Title IX pioneer
The inaugural adidas NIL class includes the following student-athletes:
Maddy Anderson – Mississippi St., soccer Emily Mason – Rutgers, soccer
Brianna Copeland – Indiana, softball Erin Moss – Georgia Tech, volleyball Lauren Dooley – Kansas, volleyball Moriah Oliveira – Miami, track & field
Kinsey Fiedler – Washington, softball Gianna Pielet – Texas A&M, tennis
Jayci “Jay” Goldsmith – Texas A&M, tennis Izzy Redmond – ASU, gymnastics
Nicklin Hames – Nebraska, volleyball Jaiden Thomas – NC State, soccer
Jameese Joseph – NC State, soccer
Hailey Van Lith – Louisville, basketball
India Wells – Grambling State, softball
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