Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME tion of data that can give teams even the smallest edge in the way they train or prepare for op- ponents. The Irish have asked Under Armour to use their campus as a "laboratory" for creating those types of products. "I think this partner- ship, of all the places it'll pay dividends, I suspect over the term of this agreement that's going to be the biggest one," Swarbrick said. Plank and his com- pany are no strangers to experimenting with new technology. Under Armour holds an inno- vator 's conference each year and invites hun- dreds of entrepreneurs to present new ideas like stronger fabrics or bags designed to ventilate better and keep equip- ment dry. The company works on its own new projects in a secretive and secure warehouse at its home base in Baltimore. Most recently, Under Armour partnered with aero- space company Lock- heed Martin and spent millions of dollars de- veloping a sleeker, faster speed-skating suit for the U.S. Olympians in Sochi. Swarbrick and the Irish are betting on Un- der Armour to have success with this plan of attack. A part of the reported $90 million deal will be paid to Notre Dame in stock options instead of cash. Swarbrick said a univer- sity taking equity in its apparel provider's com- pany is a first in college sports. "[It's] an opportunity to reflect our belief that we can help build Under Armour and continue the rocket ride it's on," he said. I f U n d e r A r m o u r stock continues to rise, so will the value of Notre Dame's contract. In the three weeks after Notre Dame announced