UH gets a huge deal with Under Armour

About how UH's deal with Under Armour is comparable to BCS schools, John McNamara said:
"It is commensurate with Auburn, Maryland (who also have Under Armour deals). I'd say it definitely puts us on a par with them." (HA)

About the deal, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said:
"my understanding is this appears to be the richest apparel agreement of any of the WAC schools. I'm sure that last season's football success led to this type of a deal." (HA)

HA Note: "In exchange for becoming the "Outfitter of Hawai'i Football," Maryland-based Under Armour will provide UH with $2,424,000 in uniform and shoe products and also pay UH $1,680,000 in cash, including $1,140,000 in rights fees and a minimum of $540,000 in marketing support as a member of the school's corporate partner program. The contract, which becomes effective in July, will replace the current deal with Nike, which UH said included no cash and less merchandise, the school said.

McNamara said that Nike and Russell Athletic also negotiated with UH and:
"we took the deal that was in our best interests and are moving forward." (HA)

HA Note: "In its first year, UH said it will receive $440,000 in cash, merchandise and marketing support — $125,000 in rights fees, $225,000 in product allowance, $20,000 for coaches' apparel, $10,000 for staff apparel, $10,000 for camp apparel and $50,000 in marketing support."

About selecting Under Armour, McNamara said:
"Under Armour is an aggressive and up-and-coming player on the national scene (and) likewise, we see ourselves that way so the marriage of our two brands is a natural and a win/win relationship for both parties." (HA)

About adding UH to their selected schools, Under Armour chairman and CEO Kevin Plank said:
"We're thrilled to add Hawai'i to the very select list of football programs we're outfitting. We identified UH as a team we wanted to outfit with our state-of-the-art performance apparel, uniforms and footwear and we look forward to giving their (players) an advantage on the field while also using the relationship to showcase our latest innovations in footwear, uniform designs, fabrics and textiles." (HA)

"We're thrilled to add Hawaii to the very select list of football programs we're outfitting. We identified UH as a team we wanted to outfit." (HSB)

HA Note: "Although the deal is strictly for football initially, UH officials said both parties left open the potential that other sports could be included as their sponsorships expire. Heretofore each sport has negotiated its own apparel deals, when possible. UH officials said there will be some changes from the recent uniforms but they wouldn't be "radical." "

Mack said that the new uniforms they wear at Florida could include some green and that he's intrigued with the possibility of having "throwback" uniforms:
"The thing about these guys we're working with is they give you a lot of options." (HA)

About how he's impressed with the "now technology" UA embraces, Mack said:
"Mike Leach (Texas Tech coach) told me their shoes are lighter than the others, we feel their products are going to help us win games. We feel they are top of the line and feel fortunate to be involved with them." (HA)

About how their UA deal will help with recruiting, Mack said:
"Kids keep track of things like this. They know." (HA)

HSB Note: "It is a deal like nothing UH has ever brokered before. Under Armour is known most for its moisture-wicking shirts and "Protect this House" and "Click-Clack" ad campaigns. Auburn, Maryland, South Carolina and Texas Tech are the only schools with deals similar to UH's."

About how the past UH players are excited about the deal, Mack said:
"We've got all kinds of former players lining up to be in the commercials." (HSB)

HSB Note: "UH SIGNS 8-YEAR DEAL WITH UNDER ARMOUR
» Rights Fee: $1,140,000
» Product Allowance: $1,940,000
» Coaches' Apparel: $240,000
» Staff Apparel: $136,000
» Camp Apparel: $108,000
» Marketing Support: $540,000
» Total: $4,104,000"

Remembering what it is like to be early with an exciting relatively new apparel company, Mack said:
"I was at Miami when Nike picked their four teams (and the Hurricanes were one). And it was such a great experience because they took such good care of the players and coaches and university." (HSB)

Asked if UA is the Nike of the new millennium, Mack said:
"I really think it's a similar situation." (HSB)

HSB Note: "UH is in ahead of the crowd. The Warriors and Under Armour announced an eight-year apparel, footwear and marketing agreement yesterday. The deal provides UH with $3 million in product and marketing support, plus more than $1.1 million in total rights fees. Only four other schools -- Auburn, Maryland, South Carolina and Texas Tech -- have similar deals with Under Armour."

About the UA deal, Clapp said:
"This is certainly a landmark deal for UH athletics." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Hawaii's expiring agreement with Nike does not include a rights fee."

About the negotiations, McNamara said:
"It was important to us that it be a full-blown partnership. We met with Nike and Russell, and Under Armour came to the table. We were flattered by the offers from all three, but we felt this one mirrored where we wanted to go as a football program. Going forward. All three offers were much better than what we currently had." (HSB)

HSB Note: "McMackin said conversations he had with Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis helped sell him on Under Armour."

About how the players are excited, Mack said:
"This is the trendy thing. I just talked to (linebacker) Blaze (Soares). He's as excited as heck." (HSB)

Excited about the deal, Rocky Savaiigaea said:
"It looks great. Nike's a big-time thing, but Under Armour, that's no joke there. They're giving us a bunch of things. It's not just one shirt, one shorts. The jerseys are nice, they're giving us a bunch of travel gear. It's like we're actually being treated like we should be treated. They're really taking care of us. When we went up to the Sugar Bowl, Georgia had all the top apparel and we didn't." (HSB)

About the new uniform designs, UH media relations director Derek Inouchi said:
"I've seen the mock-ups, and it's a lot different look." (HSB)

HSB Note: "McNamara said the athletic department will keep the rights fees, which range from $125,000 in 2008-09 to $160,000 in 2015-16."