UCLA Athletics has signed an agreement with Nike Inc. and its Jordan brand to become the Bruins’ official athletic gear provider beginning in the summer, a move that comes after the university’s split with the Under Armour apparel company.
The university sued Under Armour in August, alleging the company used the COVID-19 pandemic as a “pretext” to dissolve its $280 million, 15-year sponsorship agreement with UCLA and seeking more than $200 million in damages.
The Under Armour deal was among the largest sponsorship deals in the history of college sports.
The Nike contract begins July 1 and spans six years, the school said Tuesday, with the sportswear giant supplying apparel to all 25 of UCLA’s varsity sports teams.
Nike will supply each squad with uniforms, apparel and equipment, with Jordan outfitting the football and men and women’s basketball programs.
With the agreement, UCLA becomes only the fifth university in the country to partner with Jordan on football, the school said.
Officially-licensed Nike and Jordan gear for UCLA is expected in stores in fall 2021.
In September, UCLA voluntarily dismissed its breach of contract lawsuit against Under Armour in Los Angeles federal court while pursuing the complaint in state court.
Baltimore-based Under Armour announced in June it was pulling out of the contract with UCLA because of losses stemming from the shutdown of college athletics due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Under Armour and UCLA signed the deal in May 2016 with the apparel and footwear company agreeing to provide the Bruins with at least $280 million in financial support, including monetary payments and products over 15 years.
The deal went into effect in July 2017.
