Welcome Back, Old Friend: Canes Sign Historic Nike Deal

For a period from the mid-2000’s, until just a couple years ago. The Miami Hurricanes were mired in a multiple-decade slump. There were scandals, loss of scholarships, bottom of the barrel coaches and players, and shoddy results.

Canes fans like myself wondered, frustratingly, whether the program would ever return to its glory days.

Then came the Mario Cristobal era. Yes, it started rocky enough, that many of us had the inevitable thoughts of, here we go again. Another failed attempt at becoming The U again.

But in 2024, things started to change. Cam Ward will always be looked upon as the single-player who began the transformation back.

And while that season fell short, with the Canes missing the playoffs, it laid the groundwork.

Everyone knows what happened next. Carson Beck takes over for Ward. Rueben Bain and Francis Mauigoa lead a playoff run all the way to the national championship game, while also showing proof of concept for how Cristobal and the program develops young players. And all seemed well in our universe.

But the real confirmation that The U was back came Wednesday morning.

After a decade of Adidas being the apparel provider for Miami, the Canes unexpectedly went back to their roots. All the way back.

Waking up to the news of the Canes and Nike signing a historic 10-year. $200 million deal, instantly got my blood flowing.

Remember back in high school, when you had your first love, that you thought would last forever? But then life got in the way, and you went your separate ways?

Then, ten years later you found yourself at your high school reunion, and run into her again. Only this time, you have cleaned up your act, matured, and suddenly a future together seemed plausible.

THAT is the feeling Canes fans woke up to Wednesday. An old flame, that represented the best times of your lives, suddenly reappearing, with a higher interest level than even before.

And the conversation went great, picking up right where you left off ten years ago. Not missing a beat.

The end result? Both parties finding renewed value in each other, and deciding, lets give this thing a go one more time.

The nostalgia permeated throughout social media Wednesday. The majority of what I saw was enthusiastic.

The yearning we have all had for yesteryear took one step closer to reality. The structure is now in place for a Nick Saban-type, Alabama run. Or better yet, a Miami Hurricanes, late 80’s, 90’s, early 2000’s-type run.

Wednesday represented another confirmation that Mario, the coaches, University of Miami administration, and fans are all in sync. All that is left is one final piece. Winning that final game this year in Vegas.

As for Nike. All we can say is, welcome back, old friend.