New report details whether Adidas was behind Penn State’s decision to fire James Franklin
Rumors started swirling on social media shortly after Penn State fired James Franklin that Adidas was behind the decision.
Shortly after news broke that the Penn State Nittany Lions had fired head coach James Franklin, a report from WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti began circulating on social media, claiming Adidas was behind the decision.
Adidas and Penn State recently announced a new apparel partnership that begins in 2026.
New report disputes the idea that Adidas was behind Penn State’s decision to fire James Franklin
Front Office Sports’ Daniel Roberts tweeted on Monday morning that Adidas is not helping pay Franklin’s buyout, and that the decision to make a head coaching change was made solely by Penn State.
“In response to the viral tweet Sunday that claimed Adidas drove the Franklin firing and paid for it, Adidas directed me to PSU,” tweeted Roberts. “PSU said, ‘The report is patently false. This decision was made solely by Penn State. Adidas is not helping to pay the buyout for Coach Franklin.’”
The idea of Adidas, a company that’s set to become a major factor in college football when it comes to NIL deals, calling the shots at Penn State is juicy. But it appears to be an idea that’s not rooted in reality.
That’s good news for college football. Adidas making the call on a head coach’s firing would set a bad precedent for the sport.
Penn State Nittany Lions News
ESPN’s Rece Davis takes a guess at who will replace James Franklin as the head coach at Penn State
The Penn State Nittany Lions are searching for a new head coach after firing James Franklin on Sunday. Franklin had been the head coach at Penn State for over a decade.
