Apparel bonanza
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AUBURN, Ala. | A relationship that began in 2005 will continue another 10 years.
Auburn has renewed its apparel contract with Under Armour for $78.1 million during the next nine years. The new contract begins July 1, 2016, and will last through June 30, 2025. It has an average value of $8.68 million per year.
"From a competitive and recruiting standpoint, the Under Armour brand is a difference-maker," Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs said. "Young athletes love Under Armour gear and I appreciate the company's commitment to innovative products."
Jacobs said this is the strongest deal in the SEC and one of the top five in the nation.
He consulted with Auburn's coaches and student-athletes before renewing the deal with Under Armour including men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl.
"Bruce loves the idea of what he says of being a big fish in a small pond," Jacobs said. "He loves how Under Armour is making sure that our men's basketball program is a No. 1 priority for them.
"The new deal elevates our allotment of Under Armour products to a new level. It was important to me to make sure that every student-athlete across all 21 sports had the best possible apparel and footwear deal they could possibly have so they can have a great experience here at Auburn."
Under Armour increased Auburn's apparel allotment from $2.5 to $4 million for this season. The new deal includes a total allotment of $40.5 million, which is $4.5 million annually.
Auburn did speak to other apparel companies before renewing with Under Armour.
"We did reach out to other companies, other apparel and footwear providers, but when it all came back around it was obvious that Under Armour was the best partner for us," Jacobs said.
Jacobs does not foresee Auburn using alternate uniforms for football.
"Our traditional uniform is well known and a classic looking uniform," Jacobs said. "I think our brand is strong and we're very confident in who we are and what we look like every Saturday."
Auburn was the first college program to sign a comprehensive all-sport deal with Under Armour, inking a 5-year, $10.6 million contract in December of 2005. Auburn renewed with Under Armour in 2010 with a 7-year, $27.45 million deal.
Auburn's new deal is similar to the 10-year, $90 million contract Under Armour signed with Notre Dame in 2014. Nike's 15-year, $169 million deal with Michigan is the largest in college athletics.
In addition to Notre Dame, Under Armour also has deals with South Carolina, Maryland, Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Northwestern and Navy.
