“You don't have to beat Nike”: Tom Brady and Mike Repole set sights on Nike with bold NoBull footwear venture

Nike has long ruled the sports and fashion world, with iconic drops like the Jordan line turning sneakers into collector's items. Its dominance in performance wear and athlete partnerships has made it nearly untouchable. But now, Tom Brady , the legendary NFL quarterback, and Mike Repole , the beverage industry mogul are teaming up with a bold new vision, not to outright defeat Nike, but to shake up the industry enough to force change.

Tom Brady’s post-NFL playbook: Creating a sportswear empire
Long known for his discipline and relentless drive on the football field, Tom Brady is applying that same intensity to his post-NFL career. Instead of aligning with the usual sportswear giants, he’s building something of his own his BRADY brand.

What started as an athletic wear label is now evolving into something much bigger, especially after merging with the high-performance training brand NOBULL. This isn’t just about shirts and joggers; it’s about building a wellness empire.

Brady’s vision is broader than Nike’s traditional playbook. He's combining fitness, recovery, nutrition, and performance all under one roof.

With the inclusion of TB12, his personal health and recovery system, and a strategic partnership with Gopuff to deliver wellness products straight to consumers, he’s aiming for more than just hype he’s aiming to reshape how people live, train, and recover.

Unlike Nike, which often relies on cultural capital and exclusivity drops, Brady’s approach leans into function, authenticity, and long-term health.

He went from building Vitaminwater to selling BodyArmor for $8B.

Now alongside @TomBrady, Mike Repole is betting on@nobull — and says it’ll be bigger than Nike.

Full Interview on @NextUpWithAdam Here:
0:47 - Mike's Journey
2:16 - Why NOBULL?
5:30 - Inside… pic.twitter.com/P0qibcqBF7

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 16, 2025

His message isn’t just “look good” it’s “live well.” And with the rise of personalized fitness, recovery tools, and daily wellness routines, he may be tapping into the future of athletic lifestyle branding.

Mike Repole, best known for co-founding Vitaminwater and BODYARMOR, has already shaken up the beverage world now he’s setting his sights on an even bigger challenge: the sports footwear market.

But this time, he’s not doing it alone. Teaming up with him is none other than Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion who’s proving his competitive spirit is just as fierce off the field.

Rather than simply launching another sneaker brand, Repole and Brady aim to build a purpose-driven company that blends performance, innovation, and wellness.

Their goal isn’t just to rival Nike’s market share it’s to reimagine what athletic footwear can be in a world where athletes care as much about recovery, health, and longevity as they do about style.

"You don't have to beat Nike. You just have to make them uncomfortable enough to force them to act,"Mike attributed.

Also read: “Definitely not”: Sports icon Caitlin Clark’s strong response to joining broadcasting like Tom Brady

While Nike is still the reigning king, Tom Brady isn’t trying to copy the playbook he’s writing a new one. And with his discipline, fanbase, and growing partnerships, it may only be a matter of time before his movement starts to pull real weight in the world of sportswear and wellness.