Sportswear maker Adidas will bow out as NHL’s uniform and apparel provided after the deal between the two sides concludes following the 2023-24 season. Adidas became a supplier of uniforms and apparel for the league in 2017-18 after signing a seven-year deal to replace Rebook.
The NHL confirmed the news on Thursday via an official statement sent out to the media.
“The NHL and Adidas look forward to continuing to work closely together over the next two years and to a smooth transition to the new authentic NHL uniform supplier, which will be announced by the NHL at the appropriate time,” the NHL said in a statement.
According to reports, it was Adidas who decided not to continue the collaboration, although the reasons behind the decision are not completely clear at the moment. There is always a chance that the deal became too pricey for the German company, considering they reportedly paid “at least double” compared to the $35 million on an annual basis that Reebok paid on the previous deal.
The NHL is already working the phones and has been telling other apparel companies in recent weeks that the rights are available. The league wants to find a new partner sooner than later and have everything in place by the time the Adidas deal expires. Nike currently seems the front-favorite to land the rights, considering that the American sportswear powerhouse already has exclusive deals with the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
