TUSCALOOSA, AL — Eighteen University of Alabama athletes across nine sports have joined Nike's Blue Ribbon Elite NIL roster for the 2026-27 season.
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The company and Alabama Athletics announced Tuesday that the group includes eight Crimson Tide football players, along with athletes from men's and women's basketball, softball, swimming, volleyball, gymnastics, soccer and baseball.
Nike describes Blue Ribbon Elite as a wide-ranging name, image and likeness (NIL) initiative designed to give college athletes opportunities to work with the company on brand campaigns, product innovation, creative direction, media and content.
Nike's Blue Ribbon Elite program takes its name from Blue Ribbon Sports, the company founded in 1964 that later became Nike.
The Alabama athletes selected for the 2026-27 roster are:
UA says the NIL agreements represent another expansion of the relationship between Nike and Alabama, which dates to 2001 and encompasses the university's athletics programs.
Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said the Blue Ribbon Elite initiative creates another avenue for Crimson Tide athletes to develop their individual brands.
"Our longstanding partnership with Nike has always been about more than what our athletes wear in competition," Byrne said. "It's about aligning with an industry leader that shares our commitment to innovation and providing Alabama with best-in-class opportunities."
Byrne said the initiative gives Alabama athletes a platform to "build and elevate their individual brands" while furthering the university's relationship with Nike.
Ann Miller, Nike's executive vice president of global sports marketing, said the athletes selected for the program reflect the competitive identity associated with Alabama Athletics.
"These student-athletes embody the championship mindset, resilience and drive that move sport forward and continue to define Alabama's legacy," Miller said. "Blue Ribbon Elite creates new opportunities for them to expand their impact on and off the field while helping shape the future of college sport."
Several Alabama athletes also commented on what joining the Nike NIL roster means to them.
Alabama football defensive back Bray Hubbard said he grew up associating Nike's iconic Swoosh with athletes who "set the standard and inspired the next generation."
"To now have the opportunity to wear it myself and be part of the Nike family is something I don't take for granted," Hubbard said. "I'm proud to represent Alabama, my teammates and everyone who has helped me get to this point."
Soccer player Melina Rebimbas said she hopes the partnership will allow her to serve as an example for younger female athletes.
"I hope to inspire this next generation of female athletes to always dream big, just as my role models did for me," Rebimbas said.
Alabama baseball player Myles Upchurch also described representing Nike as a lifelong goal.
"It has been a lifelong dream of mine since I was a little kid," Upchurch said. "Representing Alabama and being a Nike Blue Ribbon athlete reminds me to work hard every day."
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