With a growing cash element, the University of Hawaii heralded the extension of its apparel and equipment agreement with Under Armour as among “the top end” of mid-major schools.
Under terms of the five-year deal announced Tuesday, UH is to receive a cash component that grows from $200,000 this year to $240,000 by the June 2022 expiration as well as $85,000 for marketing.
Total “consideration,” including products and trade over the life of the deal covering UH’s first all-sports deal, is valued at $10.275 million, the school said.
Under a one-year extension of its original eight-year agreement, UH was to receive $587,000 through June 30, 2017, including $160,000 in rights fees, $260,000 in product allowance, $41,000 in coaches apparel and $85,000 in marketing support and other considerations.
“Our research shows that (the new deal) is probably one of the top in the Group of Five schools,” athletic director David Matlin said.
UH is one of two schools in the 12-member Mountain West Conference with Under Armour contracts. Colorado State, the other, receives $2.2 million a year in uniforms under a five-year deal begun in 2016 that is valued at $11 million without a cash component.
San Diego State, which announced a Nike extension in May, does not receive any cash but does get game and practice wear for all of its 19 teams, according to the contract, the San Diego Union Tribune reported.
It is the first time all 21 UH teams have been under one brand.
“I think it is great in terms of being one team,” said Eran Ganot, men’s basketball coach.
Previously there had been “carve-outs” (exceptions) for teams such as Rainbow Wahine volleyball, which was tightly aligned with Asics during Dave Shoji’s tenure.
Part of the reason was UH’s preference for Asics shoes for volleyball. “I think, obviously, (UA’s) other apparel is first rate,” Matlin said.
“When our volleyball teams will wear (UA) shoes depends on when we are both mutually comfortable,” Matlin said.
“This is a new area for them (UA),” said Matlin, who suggested the changeover “will be sooner than later.”
Had Shoji remained, Matlin said, “I think we still would have done the (UA) deal, but we might not have pruned out Asics for a few years.”
Matlin said UH entertained bids from “several” other companies, but “pretty early on it became apparent that (UA) was going to be the focus.”
UH was among UA’s first non-Power Five conference clients in 2008, two months after the Sugar Bowl appearance.
Under terms of the new agreement UH will receive performance bonuses, including $10,000 for any of its teams that win conference championships.
Matlin said UH is not expected to frequently change up its uniform designs in season. “I don’t think that’s what we really want, but that is something we will discuss.”
