Lawrence, Free State high schools to consider Adidas apparel contract

Members of the Lawrence school board will huddle Monday night to discuss their game plans for financing scholastic athletics programs, including prospects for signing an apparel contract with Adidas.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive.

Adidas wants to sign Free State and Lawrence high schools to a three-year contract that would give each school promotional products, apparel discounts and other benefits in exchange for purchasing Adidas uniforms and sideline gear.

Francis Sporting Goods also would be regarded as the exclusive Adidas retailer for the two schools, providing apparel and accessories for teams while also extending discounts on products to all students.

Board members had discussed the proposed contract Oct. 25, but postponed making a decision until they could review the overall budget situation for district athletics.

Frank Harwood, the district’s chief operations officer, said that administrators would inform board members about the amount of money spent on athletics from three sources: the district, the schools and booster organizations.

The report will address only operational expenditures, not capital expenses such as building football stadiums, equipping ballfields or adding tennis courts.

The district spends more than $1 million a year on athletics and activities, Harwood said, and the district’s “subsidy” for high school athletics has not increased for at least 18 years. Last year, the board cut the total by $150,000.