Improvements, ‘cool factor’ keep USC locked in with Under Armour
July 07, 2016
USC pleased with its relationship with the apparel company
Auburn and UCLA among other schools with UA deals
Shoes for Gamecocks basketball team have improved
It’s supply and demand. When kids on the court or field see their heroes wearing a particular kind of shoes or gear, they want the same kind.
Under Armour, which clothes South Carolina as one of its two SEC teams, is making its move to be that supplier.
“Their product is a lot better, their shoes are a lot better, their gear is something that everyone loves,” USC basketball coach Frank Martin recently said. “Their apparel has been great from Day 1, and the shoes now, actually, they’re real good.”
When the Gamecocks first signed with Under Armour, there were some concerns about the shoes. But like all trial and error, Under Armour improved, reinvented and restocked with better sneakers and cleats.
The results led to a 29 percent revenue increase for the company, according to USA Today, and projected 2016 sales of nearly $5 billion. USC and Auburn re-signed with Under Armour over the past year and the company presented UCLA with the richest shoe and apparel sponsorship in college history in May– 15 years, $280 million.
Nike is still the top dog in college apparel and stands to be for quite a while. Its projected revenue for this year is nearly $34 billion.
But Nike only increased revenue by 8.3 percent, and while it and Adidas sponsored the lion’s share of teams in this year’s men’s NCAA tournament, Under Armour had 10, with nine in the women’s tournament.
THE STATE
July 07, 2016
USC pleased with its relationship with the apparel company
Auburn and UCLA among other schools with UA deals
Shoes for Gamecocks basketball team have improved
It’s supply and demand. When kids on the court or field see their heroes wearing a particular kind of shoes or gear, they want the same kind.
Under Armour, which clothes South Carolina as one of its two SEC teams, is making its move to be that supplier.
“Their product is a lot better, their shoes are a lot better, their gear is something that everyone loves,” USC basketball coach Frank Martin recently said. “Their apparel has been great from Day 1, and the shoes now, actually, they’re real good.”
When the Gamecocks first signed with Under Armour, there were some concerns about the shoes. But like all trial and error, Under Armour improved, reinvented and restocked with better sneakers and cleats.
The results led to a 29 percent revenue increase for the company, according to USA Today, and projected 2016 sales of nearly $5 billion. USC and Auburn re-signed with Under Armour over the past year and the company presented UCLA with the richest shoe and apparel sponsorship in college history in May– 15 years, $280 million.
Nike is still the top dog in college apparel and stands to be for quite a while. Its projected revenue for this year is nearly $34 billion.
But Nike only increased revenue by 8.3 percent, and while it and Adidas sponsored the lion’s share of teams in this year’s men’s NCAA tournament, Under Armour had 10, with nine in the women’s tournament.
THE STATE
