Penn State denies Adidas helped pay James Franklin’s massive buyout

Penn State says Adidas had nothing to do with James Franklin's firing, and they want to make that crystal clear.

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A rumor started flying Sunday that Adidas, the school's soon-to-be apparel partner, helped cover Franklin's $49 million buyout. The university shot that down Monday, calling it "patently false."

"This decision was made solely by Penn State," the school told Front Office Sports. "Adidas is not helping to pay the buyout for Coach Franklin."

Penn State's deal with Adidas, reportedly worth $300 million over 10 years starting in 2026, will end a decades-long run with Nike. The Board of Trustees even released a statement addressing "rumors and misinformation" about the partnership after the coach's ouster added fuel to the fire.

Franklin, 53, was fired Sunday, one day after a stunning 22-21 home loss to Northwestern, the Nittany Lions' third straight defeat. His buyout is the second-largest in college football history, trailing only Jimbo Fisher's $76 million payday from Texas A&M.

The size of Franklin's exit package hasn't sat well with some at the university.

"It's a slap in the face to everyone who was told their campus is too expensive and not good enough to keep open," Penn State Fayette librarian Heather Page told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Franklin went 104-45 in 12 seasons, tying for second all-time in wins at Penn State. Associate head coach Terry Smith takes over as interim while athletic director Patrick Kraft leads the national search for a new head coach.

For now, the school insists one thing. Adidas might be paying for the jerseys, but not for the buyout.