In 2017, UCLA broke the proverbial bank when it signed a 15-year, $280 million contract to wear Under Armour gear.
It took three years for Under Armour to realize it was the bank and the metaphor was actually a true and accurate statement, at least when it came to its own bank account.
UA is actively trying to get out of deals not only with UCLA, but also with Cal and Cincinnati. There could be others down the line.
“We are exploring all our options to resist Under Armour’s actions,” then-UCLA AD Dan Guerrero said at the time. “We remain committed to providing our hard-working staff and student-athletes with the footwear, apparel and equipment needed to train and compete at the highest level.”
And on Tuesday, UCLA announced it has inked a new deal with Jordan Brand.
“This is historic for UCLA,” UCLA AD Martin Jarmond told The Athletic. “I think Nike and the Jordan Brand is about being elite, and that’s what UCLA is about, being elite.”
Ironically, Jarmond, who brokered UCLA's move from Under Armour to Jordan, came from Boston College, which is a UA school (for now).
This will be UCLA's first time to associate itself with Nike; the Bruins wore Adidas before moving to UA.
The Bruins will be the fifth FBS school to sport the Jumpman, following Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Florida. (Georgetown also wears Jordan Brand for basketball.)
The contract will last a reported six years. Financial terms could be released as soon as today.
In the meantime, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.