Holy Cross, adidas sign partnership

Courtesy Under a deal with adidas, all of Holy Cross' athletic wear will be provided by the Oregon-based company.

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By Sam Bonacci

The College of the Holy Cross has inked a deal that will extend its partnership with adidas through 2021 as the team prepares for its first NCAA March Madness playoff game.

The five year deal, worth an undisclosed amount, extends a pre-existing partnership with the Oregon-based company. As part of the deal, adidas will be the official athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand of the Crusaders through the 2020-2021 season. The original deal with adidas was penned in 2011, according to a Holy Cross spokesperson.

The deal covers all of the Worcester school’s 27 sports. Beginning with the 2016 to 17 season, adidas will also become the official equipment provider for the Crusaders Baseball and Men’s Lacrosse teams.

“Throughout our talks with adidas, it was clear they put great value in Holy Cross as a partner and were willing to significantly increase their financial commitment to us,” Holy Cross Director of Athletics Nathan Pine said. “Our partnership will also help to expand the Holy Cross brand locally, regionally and nationally.”

Because of contract stipulations, Holy Cross spokespeople were unable to clarify the financial exchange involved in the agreement. However, Jim Murphy, director of NCAA Sports Marketing at adidas America, said that the company will “continue to elevate “Holy Cross Athletics across the country.”

The deal comes as the school’s men’s basketball team is preparing to take on the Southern University Jaguars in its first game of the NCAA March Madness playoffs tonight.