South Carolina, Under Armour continue to hammer out the details of new agreement
July 27, 2016
It would appear that South Carolina and Under Armour still are dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on their new apparel agreement.
In February, South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved a $71.5 million deal to continue its partnership with Under Armour. The reported 10-year deal includes $44.5 million in product allowance, $24.5 million in rights fees and a $2 million signing bonus.
Apparently, not all of the details have been finalized.
In an email to SEC Country, South Carolina media relations director Steve Fink said, “There are some edits being made and we should have everything buttoned up in a few days.”
After the university’s Board agreed to extend its partnership with Under Armour, South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner told The State that the Gamecocks new football staff “embraced it and encouraged us to move forward with a new deal.”
The partnership between South Carolina and Under Armour dates back to 2007.
“I’m very pleased with where we are with Under Armour and the relationship with (CEO) Kevin Plank and his staff,” Tanner told The State. “It’s more to me than just a company that we partner with. We have been with them quite a while, and he and his staff feel like part of our family.”
When asked for comment via email, Under Armour’s media relations department attached a release from February.
“The University of South Carolina has been one of our landmark partnerships within the NCAA and SEC,” Ryan Kuehl, Under Armour’s vice president of sports marketing and sponsorships, said in the release. “The Gamecocks are a key part of our brand story and we look forward to continuing that story together as we provide world-class, innovative product to their student athletes and the entire Gamecock community.”
Among major college and universities, only Auburn has a longer partnership with Under Armour. Almost 10 years later, they’re still the only two SEC schools under contract with the company.
Since then, several schools have entered into agreement with Under Armour, including Notre Dame, UCLA, Maryland, Texas Tech and Utah.
Last October, Auburn re-upped with a nine-year, $78.1 million deal that includes $4.5 million in royalties and $675,000 in marketing. Notre Dame’s 10-year, $90 million Under Armour contract is topped only by UCLA’s 15-year, $280 million agreement.
Among the apparel companies, Nike continues to set the pace. Ohio State and Texas both have 15-year agreements of at least $250 million. Previously partnered with Adidas, Michigan recently signed an 11-year contract with Nike that’s valued at $127.12 million. If the four-year option is exercised, the deal would total $173.8 million.
Money matters in major college athletics, and so does the swag. For some recruits, brands and uniform designs can make or break a decision.
Trajan Bandy isn’t one of them. The 4-star cornerback from Miami has more important factors to keep in mind as he moves toward a decision, but he does like the Gamecocks brand of choice.
“I think it fits them very well,” Bandy said, “The only thing is I feel like they need more designs in their jerseys.”
Matthew Butler, a 3-star defensive end from Garner, N.C., is considering five schools. South Carolina is the only Under Armour school. Three are with Nike: Alabama, Duke and Tennessee. The fifth, NC State, is under contract with Adidas.
“Under Armour is nice, to me. South Carolina has always been one of their premier teams,” he said. “They’re getting better and better.”
Like Bandy, Butler said brand affiliation will play no part in his decision.
SECCOUNTRY
July 27, 2016
It would appear that South Carolina and Under Armour still are dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on their new apparel agreement.
In February, South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved a $71.5 million deal to continue its partnership with Under Armour. The reported 10-year deal includes $44.5 million in product allowance, $24.5 million in rights fees and a $2 million signing bonus.
Apparently, not all of the details have been finalized.
In an email to SEC Country, South Carolina media relations director Steve Fink said, “There are some edits being made and we should have everything buttoned up in a few days.”
After the university’s Board agreed to extend its partnership with Under Armour, South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner told The State that the Gamecocks new football staff “embraced it and encouraged us to move forward with a new deal.”
The partnership between South Carolina and Under Armour dates back to 2007.
“I’m very pleased with where we are with Under Armour and the relationship with (CEO) Kevin Plank and his staff,” Tanner told The State. “It’s more to me than just a company that we partner with. We have been with them quite a while, and he and his staff feel like part of our family.”
When asked for comment via email, Under Armour’s media relations department attached a release from February.
“The University of South Carolina has been one of our landmark partnerships within the NCAA and SEC,” Ryan Kuehl, Under Armour’s vice president of sports marketing and sponsorships, said in the release. “The Gamecocks are a key part of our brand story and we look forward to continuing that story together as we provide world-class, innovative product to their student athletes and the entire Gamecock community.”
Among major college and universities, only Auburn has a longer partnership with Under Armour. Almost 10 years later, they’re still the only two SEC schools under contract with the company.
Since then, several schools have entered into agreement with Under Armour, including Notre Dame, UCLA, Maryland, Texas Tech and Utah.
Last October, Auburn re-upped with a nine-year, $78.1 million deal that includes $4.5 million in royalties and $675,000 in marketing. Notre Dame’s 10-year, $90 million Under Armour contract is topped only by UCLA’s 15-year, $280 million agreement.
Among the apparel companies, Nike continues to set the pace. Ohio State and Texas both have 15-year agreements of at least $250 million. Previously partnered with Adidas, Michigan recently signed an 11-year contract with Nike that’s valued at $127.12 million. If the four-year option is exercised, the deal would total $173.8 million.
Money matters in major college athletics, and so does the swag. For some recruits, brands and uniform designs can make or break a decision.
Trajan Bandy isn’t one of them. The 4-star cornerback from Miami has more important factors to keep in mind as he moves toward a decision, but he does like the Gamecocks brand of choice.
“I think it fits them very well,” Bandy said, “The only thing is I feel like they need more designs in their jerseys.”
Matthew Butler, a 3-star defensive end from Garner, N.C., is considering five schools. South Carolina is the only Under Armour school. Three are with Nike: Alabama, Duke and Tennessee. The fifth, NC State, is under contract with Adidas.
“Under Armour is nice, to me. South Carolina has always been one of their premier teams,” he said. “They’re getting better and better.”
Like Bandy, Butler said brand affiliation will play no part in his decision.
SECCOUNTRY
