Report: Notre Dame to re-sign with Under Armour in richest apparel deal in college athletics
According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, Notre Dame is extending its apparel deal with Under Armour. The new deal will be the richest one in college athletics according to Dellenger.
Notre Dame will receive more than $10 million per year in cash according to the report. The Irish signed their first deal with Under Armour in 2014. That was also a 10-year contract. Director of athletics Jack Swarbrick told Blue & Gold on June 28 that a new apparel deal would be in place within a month or so.
His timeline wasn’t wrong if Dellenger is correct in his reporting. Dellenger did note Notre Dame and Under Armour officials declined to comment, though.
All signs pointed to an extension with the two parties anyway. Swarbrick’s son, Cal, is a high-level executive with UA specializing in the management of collegiate and university partners and relationships. That had less to do with a new agreement than the special brand recognition both Under Armour and Notre Dame get from what is almost an exclusive partnership.
There aren’t many universities receiving apparel from Under Armour. South Carolina and Auburn are two of the most notable others still paired up with UA. Notre Dame isn’t just another Nike or Adidas school. There is some value in being a brand’s No. 1 priority.
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Notre Dame and Under Armour just released a special green jersey Irish players will wear at home on Sept. 23 vs. Ohio State, for instance. The company was able to spend the summer scheming up the best design for Notre Dame’s “Irish Wear Green” game, and by most accounts it delivered in style.
Under Armour recently reported its 2023 fiscal year revenue to be $5.9 billion. That was up three percent from 2022. In addition to Notre Dame, South Carolina and Auburn, Under Armour also supplies Wisconsin, South Carolina and Texas Tech with its gear.
Not to be forgotten, NBA superstar Steph Curry’s shoe line is through Under Armour. Curry signed a massive extension to stay with UA earlier this year.
Next up is a likely extension between NBC and Notre Dame. NBC has been broadcasting Irish home games for over 30 years. Swarbrick told Blue & Gold in June he very much values the university’s relationship with NBC. He spoke of the outlet in a similar tone with which he used to say why Under Armour is the right fit for the Fighting Irish.
