The NLL has announced a deal with Under Armour as the league’s new exclusive supplier of performance apparel, footwear & equipment through the '16 season. The deal takes effect with the start of the NLL season on Dec. 28. The apparel supplied will include baselayer gear, as well as UA's new Charge Gloves and Charge 2 lacrosse heads (NLL). UA replaces Reebok, "which had held that position with the NLL for the past eight years." Financial terms were not available. The deal "does not include actual uniforms," but UA "will have a significant sideline presence" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/25 issue).
STILL TALKING: The PORTLAND TRIBUNE reported the city is on the '14 LPGA schedule, but tournament officials "still must nail down a sponsor" for the Aug. 28-31 event. The event last year was played as the Safeway Classic "under a one-year sponsorship deal"with the supermarket chain. Tournament Golf Foundation President Tom Maletis, whose group coordinates the event, said, "We're still in discussions with Safeway and other sponsor candidates." He added, "We've been in this situation since 2010 with these one-year extensions, and we've always been able to come through" (PORTLAND TRIBUNE, 11/22).
NOTICEABLY ABSENT: In Portland, Allan Brettman noted Nike Golf last week held a media event in the Tiger Woods Center at Nike World HQs "to introduce clubs, balls, footwear, apparel and other gear" for the '14 season. The event "included the participation" of four Nike-sponsored golfers, but there was "little mention" of Woods or Rory McIlroy (Portland OREGONIAN, 11/25).
GYM CHIC: The AP's Mae Anderson wrote workout clothes for women "are moving to the front of the fashion scene." Yoga pants "are the new jeans, neon sports bras have become the 'it' accessory and long athletic socks are hipper than high heels." Sales of workout gear are "growing faster than sales of everyday clothing." Spending on workout clothes "jumped 7 percent to $31.6 billion during the 12-month period that ended in August from the same period a year ago." That "compares with a 1 percent rise" for other clothing to about $169.2B (AP, 11/25).
