LSU & Nike Forge Landmark NIL Partnership, Appoint Lane Kiffin as Head Coach
December 11, 2025
LSU's athletic leadership and Nike executives describe the renewed partnership as a landmark NIL move that prioritizes collaboration, athlete branding, and long-term opportunities for players.
Nike's Blue Ribbon Elite program will feature ten LSU athletes from gymnastics, baseball, softball, football, basketball, and volleyball, with brand support spanning performance, media, product development, and content creation.
LSU and Nike extend their partnership through 2036, keeping Nike as LSU's athletic apparel provider for the foreseeable future.
The LSU football program has hired Lane Kiffin as head coach after parting ways with Brian Kelly, with ambitions to return to national-title contention.
The announcement arrives as LSU celebrates recent high-profile success across sports, including Elite Eight runs and a 2023 national title in women's basketball, College World Series titles in baseball for 2023 and 2025, and a 2024 national gymnastics championship.
Among the featured athletes are DJ Pickett (football), Tori Edwards (softball), Casan Evans (baseball), Dedan Thomas Jr. (basketball), Jayden Heavener (softball), and Zakiyah Johnson (basketball), all expressing excitement about brand-building opportunities.
Since 2021, LSU has positioned itself as a NIL leader, emphasizing substantial earning opportunities and access to third-party deals for student-athletes.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Sources

Bleacher Report • Dec 11, 2025
LSU, Nike Announce Long-Term Contract Extension, NIL Deals for Top Athletes
LSU Country • Dec 11, 2025
LSU Football Announces Major NIL News On Pair Of Elite Weapons, Ink Massive Deals