NBA Star Lillard Gifts adidas Gear to Washington Ahead of National Championship
While in Houston to take on the Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard surprised the No. 2-ranked Washington Huskies' football team with a huge haul of adidas gear ahead of Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship.
Both Lillard and Washington are sponsored by adidas and although the seven-time NBA All-Star doesn't reside in the Pacific Northwest anymore - being traded from Portland to Milwaukee prior to the season - he is still supporting the Huskies.
Lillard visited the Huskies in their hotel to deliver his signature basketball shoes, lifestyle sneakers, apparel and accessories in addition to meeting the team, posing for photos and offering some advice ahead of Monday's matchup versus No. 1-ranked Michigan.
adidas partnered with the University of Washington in 2019 as their footwear and apparel sponsor - taking over a long-standing Nike relationship - and this season, signed Husky star duo Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze as the brand's first football NIL partners.
The surprise gifting has led to dozens of Washington players sharing the recap video and their gear hauls on Instagram as part of the adidas NIL Ambassador Program powered by NIL agency Postgame.
Ahead of the Heisman Trophy ceremony, adidas released multiple digital videos promoting Penix for college sports' most prestigious award, narrated by legendary sports broadcaster Kenny Mayne, a Washington-native himself.
Washington made brand history last week as the first adidas school to advance to a CFP National Championship. Former adidas-sponsored school Notre Dame played in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game, falling to Alabama.
The Huskies take on Jordan Brand-sponsored Michigan - also a former adidas program - on Monday at 7:30PM ET on ESPN.
