UC previously had partnered with Under Armour for its athletic apparelGetty Images
The Univ. of Cincinnati athletics department has "finalized a new apparel deal" with Nike which means it will "use the company’s apparel for four more years," according to Steve Watkins of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER. The latest deal is "directly with Nike" and calls for it to serve as UC’s exclusive athletic footwear, apparel and accessories provider for football and men’s and women’s basketball teams "from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029." The contract "didn’t specify an overall amount Nike will pay to UC as part of the sponsorship deal." The deal "extends the time" Nike serves as UC's apparel provider, as the school's current contract with Dallas-based apparel distributor BSN Sports "calls for it to outfit Bearcats athletic teams with Nike and Jordan Brand products." That contract "runs for two years beginning July 1 this year." UC previously had partnered with Under Armour for its athletic apparel, but "both sides agreed in November 2020 to terminate the deal five years early." UA paid UC a $9.75M exit fee and "provided apparel for the next several years" (CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER, 11/1).
NIKE ON THE CHEST: In Cincinnati, Scott Springer noted the Nike contract extension allows UC to purchase $1.725M of apparel at "one-third of the cost with a discount up to" $1.1M per year. The school receives "unspecified royalties for selling Nike apparel with a UC logo and performance bonuses." Those bonuses include: $10,000 for a football conference championship and $100,000 for winning the national championship. For men's and women's basketball, the bonuses are: $10,000 for a conference championship and $50,000 for a national championship. Teams, coaches and staff are "required to wear Nike apparel with the logo during team activities with exceptions for being in business attire." Covering of the logo "is prohibited" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 11/1).
