Nike and adidas last week "bid on" the Univ. of Michigan's apparel contract, according to Matthew Kish of the PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL. An adidas spokesperson "confirmed its bid, which included a giant banner welcoming" UM reps to the company's North American HQ in Portland. Meanwhile, Nike "painted a field" at the center of its campus to "resemble Michigan's football field." The company also "hung a building-sized banner on its recreation center with Michigan's 'Go Blue' slogan." Under Armour also "appears to be bidding on the deal," as a photo on social media "shows a hallway, presumably at the company's Baltimore headquarters, with a large banner welcoming Michigan." UM will "likely make its decision within the next three months." It must notify adidas by Aug. 31, 2015 if it "wants to extend its current deal." It has the option to "extend the deal five years" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/15). In Detroit, Angelique Chengelis noted adidas "absolutely wants to maintain its relationship with Michigan, which it considers the company's crown jewel, and has even toned down the sun-yellow color to a more traditional maize that more closely resembles mustard rather than a highlighter marker." adidas Sports Marketing Dir Chris McGuire said that the brand is "confident in its relationship" with UM since the two became partners in '07 after Michigan moved from Nike. McGuire: "Michigan will continue to be the flagship. We have great partners in the college sector, like Miami and UCLA, but we look to Michigan to drive our brand. Michigan is still the crown jewel." McGuire said that adidas "began a color change process two years ago" while Dave Brandon was still UM's AD. adidas "fully intends to extend its deal with Michigan, but clearly, this will be" interim AD Jim Hackett's call (DETROITNEWS.com, 5/17).
