Jackson State's development foundation, a non-profit that raises money for the university, has helped the school secure an apparel deal with Nike.

The JSU athletic department soon plans to announce a five-year sponsorship deal that will include at least $200,000 in savings in the first year, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

The school issued a press release Tuesday afternoon announcing the sponsorship will also includes "numerous incentives in the form of discounts and rewards, along with incentives for on-field achievements and additional marketing and promotional opportunities."

“We are thrilled to officially announce our exciting partnership with BSN SPORTS, Nike through the Jackson State University Foundation,” said JSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson. “Since its inception, Nike has continued to redefine innovation by always listening to the needs of the world’s best athletes and helping them be the best they can be. In partnering with this iconic brand, Jackson State University student-athletes will now wear the best apparel to help them achieve competitive greatness.”

The university's teams previously wore apparel supplied by Russell, which had a contract with the Southwestern Athletic Conference. That contract expired following the 2017-18 athletic seasons, giving member schools an opportunity to pursue their own contracts.

Robinson had placed a high priority on reaching an apparel deal that would outfit all the school's athletic teams for the 2018-2019 seasons, which the deal is expected to do.

Jackson State's agreement comes almost exactly one month after Alabama A&M announced a similar deal with Nike. The company has recently seen its stock initially fall, and then rise to unprecedented heights following its decision to employ controversial NFL free agent Colin Kaepernick as the face of its 2018 "Just Do It" campaign. The apparel giant sponsors more than 100 college athletic programs across the country, including Ole Miss.

Governor Phil Bryant recently praised State Public Safety Commissioner Marshall Fisher, who called the company unpatriotic and announced that state law enforcement agencies would no longer purchase Nike equipment.