Three years and one month ago, UCLA inked a blockbuster contract with Under Armour -- 15 years, $280 million, the largest apparel deal on record.
Turns out those details were written in air quotes.
On Saturday, Under Armour confirmed it has pulled out of that record-breaking contract, citing a lack of benefit in attachment to the UCLA brand.
As has been reported elsewhere, Under Armour also quietly removed Cal from its list of college brands as well, indicating the apparel giant could be pulling out of the 10-year, $86 million contract signed in 2016.
“We are exploring all our options to resist Under Armour’s actions,” UCLA AD Dan Guerrero said in a statement. “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.”
Guerrero is scheduled to retire on Wednesday. The school hired Martin Jarmond away from Boston College last month; BC happens to be an Under Armour school, meaning Jarmond at least be familiar with the executives trying to pull the UA-branded rug out from under him before he officially takes over the department.
A move such as this raises many questions:
-- Assuming Under Armour has sufficient contractual cover to pull out of the deal, is it effective immediately?
-- Will Bruins players wear UA-branded uniforms and UA cleats for the season that begins just over two months from now, or will UCLA have to find a new provider before then?
-- Will Under Armour have to pay a buyout clause to terminate a dozen years early?
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.