Simeon Birnbaum, a University of Oregon distance runner and two-time NCAA All-American, has signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with the Italian sportswear brand Diadora, reported by FloTrack around January 20, 2026. The move ends his long association with Nike, whose gear and events shaped his high school rise. An NIL deal lets college athletes earn money from their own name and brand while keeping their eligibility. Birnbaum said he chose Diadora because "they want to win as badly as I do," and explained that on Nike he "decided to go a different route." For runners following the sport, the deal signals a shifting shoe-and-apparel landscape at the college level.
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Table of Contents
- What the deal actually is
- Why leaving Nike is notable
- Who Simeon Birnbaum is
- How his form backs the timing
- Diadora's college running push
- Frequently Asked Questions
What the deal actually is
This is a collegiate NIL agreement, not a professional contract. Birnbaum stays a University of Oregon student-athlete and keeps competing in the NCAA. The deal simply lets him be paid to represent Diadora, an Italian brand known for track spikes and running shoes.
that distinction matters. NIL rules, adopted across college sports in recent years, allow athletes to profit from endorsements without turning pro or losing scholarship eligibility. So Birnbaum can wear Diadora branding in sponsored settings while still racing for the Ducks.
Why leaving Nike is notable
Birnbaum's roots run deep in nike-branded competition. As a prep, he won the Nike Outdoor Nationals "Dream" Mile in 2023, one of the sport's marquee high school events.
That was a Nike-branded meet, not a sponsorship, but it tied his name to the brand early. His stated reasoning is about ambition, not conflict. He framed Diadora as a partner hungry to win and described the Nike departure only as choosing "a different route." For readers, it is a reminder that top young runners now have real leverage to pick smaller brands.
Who Simeon Birnbaum is
Birnbaum, born June 23, 2005, graduated from Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota, in 2023. According to his Wikipedia profile, he ranks second all-time among U.S. high schoolers in the 1500 meters and two miles.
That prep pedigree has carried into college. He earned All-American honors at the 2025 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, his second such honor. Fitness-minded readers can track his official results through his Oregon athletics profile.
How his form backs the timing
The signing arrives as Birnbaum is running fast. He recently set a personal best and Oregon program record of 7:39.65 in the 3000 meters at the BU Opener, per FloTrack.
A 3000-meter race is a middle-distance track event just under two miles. That mark is the kind of result that draws brand interest. Strong indoor times often precede outdoor breakthroughs, so Diadora is betting on an athlete still climbing rather than one at his peak.
Diadora's college running push
Birnbaum is only the second collegiate NCAA athlete to sign with Diadora, FloTrack reports. The first was Villanova's Marco Langon, though the two deals differ in type.
The pattern suggests Diadora is building a distance-running roster from both college and pro ranks. For a brand less common on American start lines than Nike, signing a runner of Birnbaum's caliber is a visibility play worth watching.
- Birnbaum: a collegiate NIL agreement, still racing in the NCAA.
- Langon: a full professional contract, signed July 2, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Diadora deal affect Birnbaum's NCAA eligibility?
No. It is an NIL agreement, which lets college athletes earn endorsement money while still competing in the NCAA.
Is Birnbaum turning professional?
Not yet. Unlike Villanova's Marco Langon, who signed a professional contract with Diadora, Birnbaum remains a college athlete at Oregon.
