When we announced the adidas deal, it was in January 2015, and we had enough time to get apparel by August of the same year.
I'd expect that if we can't hit the "2023" window, that we will quietly part ways with adidas now, but not announce Nike until part of the way into the 2023-24 year, so that adidas can sell football merch (which is most of the merch money anyhow).
Here is what I personally expect...given the groundwork that was done a year ago...if we conclude business (negatively) with adidas this month and can get something in place by next month, then you might be able to announce something in time for the spring game.
Which would be nice.
If not...then the calendar rolls over to "2024 by the earliest".
8 or 9 years is a good run on a 12 year deal. Good enough, anyhow.
But I defer to
@Rellyrell on how fast Nike can make shoes and print shirts. A lot of that stuff is "template" now, just use different colored-material and ink, and insert the right logo...