forums

2026 Tristen "TK5" Keys 5* WR from Hattiesburg, MS commits to LSU

CreamCityCane said:
@Rellyrell What is Adidas connection to Keys though? Do they think there is something particularly special about him, or could it be any premier player? I know you said Keys is SEC but hypothetically, would Adidas care one way or the other if Keys was in a UM jersey or UT jersey if they sponsor both?

I guess I feel like Miami couldnt have delivered a better gift to Adidas than Cam Ward last year so I'm surprised they are shifting their focus.

Anyways - Thanks for the interesting info!
Click to expand...

He’s an Adidas Athlete via NIL.

Part of UTenn x Adidas switch wasn’t just $$, but there’s a stipulation that UTenn will be the face of their CFB brand. They’ll be incentivizing any student-athlete to receive add’l NIL perks by being featured in Adidas’ commercials via the school.

I highlighted the specific lingo. Now, I also know Adidas makes big promises they can’t/won’t fulfill IF that school/program doesn’t make them look superior; but, for now this is a one of one situation. Adidas had the NIL Connect Initiative back in 2021 for their power schools, but that initiative fell flat. It was very disorganized. It didn’t yield the results, & it was often geared towards female athletes (again, we were shafted here, too).

Adidas is all in on UTenn; this was their big coup, so therefore this is their new priority. Speaking of Ward, & I feel when I share things it gets a bit dismissed b/c ppl assume I’m just this Nike zealot when in actuality I provide real time info that happens right b4 this board’s eyes b/c I have connections to both via current & former employees:

Remember w Ward when he was the Heisman favorite, Adidas was all in on him. They pushed the “He1sman” campaign. However, right b4 our very eyes, Travis Hunter started getting all the buzz. Hunter was a done deal to Nike, until Adidas sweetened the pot by not just NIL, but giving him a clothing line. Lmao. Ward became an afterthought, as Adidas shifted its focus. Now Cam is w Under Armour.

Like, I try to give credible info that Adidas will always look out for Adidas. Their partnership is a contingent basis. So yes, they’re known for giving **** near everyone a signature shoe, & paying more $$, but it comes w hidden contingencies. This is what happens when u’re dealing w a company that’s always going to be little brother looking for the next big thing trying to catch up.

This is y they r not good long term partners & their track history proves this. My ? to the board was very simple: are we interested in winning or r we interested in padding our pockets? If we’re losing recruits b/c of branding, AND we’re losing recruits b/c our sponsor has their own agenda, then how r we benefiting? I’ve asked this for yrs & the only answer is: Adidas is paying more.
 
Last edited:
Advertisement
Rellyrell said:
Adidas is all in on UTenn; this was their big coupe, so therefore this is their new priority. Speaking of Ward, & I feel when I share things it gets a bit dismissed b/c ppl assume I’m just this Nike zealot when in actuality I provide real time info that happens right b4 this board’s eyes b/c I have connections to both via current & former employees:
Click to expand...

Any brand that would sideline a ready made star like Cam Ward would have me questioning their business skills, loyalties aside. But I appreciate it. As a fan, the sponsors really aren't on my mind very often, so its interesting to hear they do have an impact.
 
CreamCityCane said:
Any brand that would sideline a ready made star like Cam Ward would have me questioning their business skills, loyalties aside. But I appreciate it. As a fan, the sponsors really aren't on my mind very often, so its interesting to hear they do have an impact.
Click to expand...

Which is y I’m here. Lol. This is my lane, & this arena will be the closest I am to an “insider.” I may have some intel on certain recruits (which is rare), but I will hardly or ever share that.
Truthfully? I thought some w/in this fanbase eyes would’ve opened after how Ward was treated. My God, it was just last season, & the same rhetoric is being spewed: Adidas pays more.

Cool, but what happens when it’s putting us at a disadvantage &/or we see how quickly they go from prioritizing one of our own when he was a favorite to leaving him at the alter to throw a bag at another player b/c he’s the favorite?

So, yeah, UTenn is going to be a thorn. They’ll be their version of KU for CFB. The only good news? I think UTenn is going to have a precipitous drop off moving fwd. At the end of the day, kids will still value winning & development as 1st priority, & w the advent of the transfer portal, it’s not a sustainable business practice.
 
JG13 said:
Dude is like a bluegill on the bank when you're trying to decide to keep or throw him back.
Click to expand...
man jumping GIF
 
Back
Top