Nike Extends Long-Term Partnership With Oregon State and Signs Two Blue Ribbon Elite NIL Athletes

What’s happening?
Nike has extended its partnership with Oregon State University through 2031 and added Beavers athletes Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree to its Blue Ribbon Elite NIL roster.

What is the Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program?
Blue Ribbon Elite reimagines the NIL space by providing leading athletes and universities an unmatched level of collaboration that prioritizes the future of sport and athlete identity.

How does Nike serve NIL athletes?
Nike provides individual, personalized support to athletes across its NIL roster, both in their performance and training and in their most important moments away from the game, giving them tools for long-term success across sport, business and culture.

Nike and Oregon State University are announcing the extension of their longstanding partnership through 2031, as well as the addition of two leading Beavers athletes to Nike’s Blue Ribbon Elite NIL roster.

The announcement builds on a partnership that spans more than three decades, bringing Nike and Oregon State together for the next chapter of their shared history while creating new opportunities for quarterback Braden Atkinson and wide receiver Jesse Legree through Blue Ribbon Elite.

“There’s a special history between Nike and Oregon State, built over more than three decades together,” says Ann Miller, EVP, Global Sports Marketing, NIKE, Inc. “Continuing our partnership with the Beavers while welcoming Braden and Jesse to the Nike family reflects what makes this relationship so meaningful. Both are exceptional athletes who carry the spirit of Oregon State, and we look forward to supporting them as they shape what’s next.”

Blue Ribbon Elite, a first-of-its-kind initiative, represents a broad portfolio of athletes across disciplines, reimagining the NIL space by providing leading athletes and universities an unmatched level of collaboration that prioritizes the future of sport and athlete identity.

What they’re saying:

Kevin Griffin, Oregon State Vice President and Director of Athletics: “The opportunity for Braden and Jesse to be a part of Nike’s Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program is exceptional and an incredible benefit of our relationship. Nike is woven into the fabric of this state, and Oregon State is proud to be a big part of that story. Our shared Oregon roots make this partnership special, and this extension will serve our student-athletes well as our programs continue to strive for success in the Pac-12 and nationwide.”

Braden Atkinson, Oregon State quarterback: “Being part of Blue Ribbon Elite is an honor, and it means even more because Nike’s roots are right here in Oregon. I’m grateful for the people who got me here, including my family, my coaches and my teammates. Getting to represent Oregon State alongside a brand with this much history in the state is something I don’t take for granted. I’m excited to see what we can do together.”

Jesse Legree, Oregon State wide receiver: “Joining Blue Ribbon Elite is a dream come true, and I get to do it representing Oregon State. I fell in love with this culture, and it’s only going to grow from here. Having Nike in my corner pushes me to work harder every week. We’re building something big in Corvallis, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

About Blue Ribbon Elite

The Blue Ribbon Elite program, named after Nike’s humble beginnings, reflects the brand’s long-held leading position in sport, college and NIL partnership, as well as an enduring commitment to making athletes better — from pioneering the first truly comprehensive “all-sports” partnership in the 1980s to today’s creative, career-building collaborations with top NIL athletes.

Nike’s partnership with each Blue Ribbon Elite athlete goes beyond brand representation, inspiring the student body and community to collaborate through brand campaigns, product innovation and creative direction.

In short: When programs and athletes sign with Nike, they don’t just rep the Swoosh — they help shape it.

Nike’s commitment to listening to the voices of its NIL athletes takes shape in individual, personalized support, both in their performance and training and in their most important moments away from the game. From product and styling to support with media and content, Nike leverages the full weight of the brand to provide a best-in-class partnership to athletes across its NIL roster — giving them tools for long-term success across sport, business and culture.