Under Armour has signed a 15-year, $280-million contract with UCLA in what’s believed to be the largest shoe and apparel deal in NCAA history. UCLA’s contract with Adidas expires next year.
The marketplace has exploded in recent months as Michigan, Texas and Ohio State have signed lucrative agreements with Nike. The news was first reported by ESPN.
The schoolwide deal is being revealed at a noon press conference in California.
The Los Angeles Times reports that UCLA will receive $15 million in cash up front and subsequently be paid approximately $11 million annually in rights and marketing fees. Under Armour has agreed to supply about $7.4 million worth of clothing, shoes and equipment each school year and contribute an additional $2 million over the next eight years for upgrades at facilities such as the Morgan Center and the Acosta Athletic Complex.
The deal with begin in January 2017. Adidas and Nike were also said to be involved in the bidding.
UCLA has been outfitted by Adidas since 2009. Its current contract began in July 2011 and was due to expire in June 2017. The school’s previous deal with the company, which was renewed in 2010, was worth $7.5 million per year.
Nike holds the three largest deals in the country: a 15-year deal with Ohio State worth $252 million, a 15-year deal with the University of Texas worth $250 million and an 11-year deal worth about $169 million with the University of Michigan.
The Maryland-based company won out, continuing its effort to increase its presence on the West Coast. Cal dropped Nike in April after signing a 10-year, $86 million deal with Under Armour. Utah is the other Pac-12 school to be sponsored by Under Armour. Arizona State is the only Adidas-wearing Pac-12 school. The rest are sponsored by Nike.
Under Armour’s stable of major partners already include Notre Dame, Auburn and Wisconsin.
