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New Under Armour Deal With Texas Tech
Will Cover All Athletic Teams |
Under Armour (UA) today announced that it has agreed to a five-year, $11M deal with Texas Tech Univ. to become the exclusive performance footwear and apparel outfitter for all of the school's 17 athletic teams. The deal will go into effect in July '09 (
UA). In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay reported UA is "already in the midst of a five-year agreement" that began in '06 with the Texas Tech football team. The partnership with the men's basketball team "begins this season" (
SUNSENTINEL.com, 11/9).
BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY: In Salt Lake City, Lya Wodraska reported the Univ. of Utah, "following a growing trend among colleges and universities, is phasing out" the school's drum and feather logo worn by its athletic teams "on items deemed 'permanent,' or lasting for more than a year." The logo, which will also "be referred to as a 'circle and feather,' in the future," will still "be used on uniforms, apparel, media guides and TV commercials." The school "has approval from the Ute Tribal Council to use the word 'Utes' and the drum and feather logo, but use of Native American symbols by athletic teams remains a sensitive topic." Meanwhile, Utah AD Chris Hill "acknowledged there might come a time when the school has to consider changing the nickname altogether." Hill: "The reality is if you look around campus, the block 'U' is used so it brings the athletic teams more in line with the school. But it's also just in case something happens" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 11/8).
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Univ. Of Hawaii Merchandise Sales
Soar From Sugar Bowl Appearance |
HEALTHY DOSE OF SUGAR: In Honolulu, Craig Gima reported Univ. of Hawaii (UH) officials said that licensing revenue for UH products "nearly doubled last year, largely due to sales of Sugar Bowl merchandise." UH VP/External Affairs Carolyn Tanaka said that UH "received $631,910 in the fiscal year ending June 30, compared with $317,009 in the previous year." Gima noted sales of UH Sugar Bowl-related merchandise "soared after the football team received an invitation" to last season's game (Honolulu STAR-BULLETIN, 11/9).
SHADES OF BLUE: In Raleigh, Robbi Pickeral notes the Univ. of North Carolina (UNC) football team Saturday wore navy blue uniforms for the first time since '59, but "don't expect the Heels to wear their alternate top ... too often." UNC coach Butch Davis: "We will always be Carolina blue. There will never be a question about the color of the uniforms. Maybe once a year we'll have a bit of diversity. The recruits love it, the players love it, it probably makes Nike happy" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 11/10).
