Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BY DAN MURPHY W h e n J a c k Swarbrick started s h o p p i n g f o r Notre Dame's next ap- parel provider last year, the Irish athletics di- rector had his mind set on finding much more than the newest, hip- pest jerseys and gear. In January, Notre Dame officially struck a deal with relative up-and- comer Under Armour that Swarbrick hopes will set a new industry standard. The deal, which will officially go into effect July 1, is believed to be the richest of its kind in college sports history. Notre Dame declined to reveal the specific price tag, but Swarbrick made it clear that he thinks it's more lucrative for the Irish than any other university's current ap- parel contract. Some reports put the price as high as $90 million. That would be a step up from Michigan's $80 million agreement with adidas, which is the largest pub- licly known contract in college sports. " B y a n y m e a s u re , it's the largest deal of its kind in the history of collegiate athletics," Swarbrick said. T h e d e a l w i l l p u t Notre Dame in Under Armour j erseys an d clothing for the next 10 years as soon as the school's current deal with adidas — also a 10- year contact — expires at the end of June. The 18-year-old company has a history of pushing the envelope with the products it creates, but founder and president Kevin Plank said he has UNDER THE DOME THE EMPIRE'S NEW CLOTHES Notre Dame joins forces with Under Armour starting in July Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick (left) and Under Armour founder and president Kevin Plank (right) announced a new deal that will put the Irish in Under Armour jerseys and clothing for the next 10 years. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND