Adidas announces adizero 7 Class, inks deals with top high school recruits

Adidas Makes a Significant Impact in the NIL Arena

Adidas has made a notable entrance into the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) sphere. The well-known sneaker and sportswear company introduced its adizero 7 Class on Thursday. This launch coincides with the upcoming Overtime OT7 Finals in Tampa. The partnership between adidas and Overtime is an expansion of their longstanding agreement since October 2023, where adidas was designated as the exclusive provider of apparel and footwear for Overtime leagues such as OT7, Overtime Elite, and Overtime Select.

Prior to the OT7 event, adidas established the adizero 7 Class, securing endorsement deals with seven standout high school football recruits. Among these NIL brand ambassadors are top prospects like five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, four-star UCLA quarterback commit Madden Iamaleava, four-star wide receiver Vernell Brown III, four-star athlete Madden Williams, Five-Star Plus+ Ohio State wide receiver commit Chris Henry Jr., and four-star wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr.

All seven athletes are expected to participate in the OT7 Championships this week. The event will be broadcasted on NFL Network, YouTube, and various Overtime social media platforms. The competition will showcase multiple 7-on-7 teams, with the games scheduled from Friday to Sunday. Numerous top prospects from the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes are anticipated to attend, promising a showcase of exceptional talent during the summer.

Over the past 33 months, Adidas has emerged as a significant investor in NIL initiatives. Washington quarterback Michael Penix and wide receiver Rome Odunze were the first college football players to secure NIL agreements with the brand last fall. Adidas’s NIL network now includes thousands of active athletes from over 25 sports, with a substantial number hailing from Washington and participating in 14 different sports on campus.