Auburn appears close to finalizing a new apparel deal. Details are vague but signs point to Auburn leaving Under Armour — a company facing significant financial hurdles — with Nike as a possible suitor.

“We feel like we’re in a very, very positive place right now,” Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen said Tuesday during an appearance on the live radio show Next Round Live. “I think our fanbase, everyone connected with Auburn is going to be very pleased with where we are. Just not ready to release because not all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed.”

Auburn’s current deal with Under Armour expires in June 2025. Under Armour has been Auburn’s apparel sponsor since 2006. However, after signing an extension in 2015 worth about $78 million, Auburn’s stock in Under Armour has lost the vast majority of its value and the company’s overall value has plummeted.

Auburn could begin negotiating a new deal with other companies as of Sept. 1, 2023, and a frequent topic when these apparel conversations arise is whether one sponsor has an impact in recruiting over another.

Auburn football head coach Hugh Freeze has coached under several different apparel deals — including Nike at Ole Miss and Under Armour this far at Auburn. Freeze was asked Tuesday if a school’s apparel sponsor has ever had an impact when he talks to high schoolers.

The answer? Almost never.

It’s more of a talking point among fans than reality when recruiting.

“Very rare,” Freeze said. “I’ve been at a bunch of different schools and been a part of three different apparel companies and I don’t ever recall feeling like that made a significant difference in the recruitment.”

Freeze then made one caveat.

“But I’m certain that it doesn’t hurt in some scenarios,” Freeze said.

It’s unclear whether there is something to read between the lines in that statement. Freeze did not expand with any more specificity.

It’s unclear when Auburn will finalize its new apparel deal whether it be with Under Armour or another company. If Auburn were to take a new apparel sponsorship, it would begin after the current deal expires in June 2025. There has been large fan support to leave Under Armour and equally large support for a move to Nike, should that occur.

“We’re excited about where we are and excited for the future in that area,” Cohen said on Next Round Live. “We feel like, again, our student-athletes all the way to our fans and alumni are really going to enjoy it.”

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]