Saturday, May 23, 2026

Lost Exposure

Michigan Jump Man
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Adidas, Nike and Under Armour stand to be some of the companies hit the hardest by college sports postponements, as each brand has millions tied up in school contracts. A Power 5 conference program provides an average of $4.74 million in marketing value, with a conference championship game providing more than $2 million.

Without a season, the brands lose the millions of eyeballs that would see their logos associated with college football programs on TV and live on the field. Even those teams still set to play likely won’t provide the full value of exposure playing in front of empty stadiums.

Before the Pac-12’s season was shelved, Under Armour was attempting to get out of its deals with schools like UCLA and Cal. Among the brand’s reasons for trying to terminate the deals: the schools failing to fulfill contract obligations and, in the case of Cal, sales of out-of-date apparel by a third-party.

Largest College Apparel Deals in Big Ten and Pac-12:

— $280 million: Under Armour’s 15-year deal with UCLA

— $137.8 million: Nike’s 15-year deal with Michigan

— $119 million: Adidas’ 10-year deal with Washington

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Southern Schools Silent on Proposed Black Athlete Boycott

The campaign asks Black athletes, fans to boycott several southern athletic departments.
Apr 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, United States; Wisconsin Badgers defenseman Joe Palodichuk (14) and Denver Pioneers forward Kyle Chyzowski (16) battle for control of the puck during the second period in the championship game of the NCAA men's ice hockey Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena

Hockey Unites to Demand Change to NCAA ‘5-in-5’ Proposal

The sport doesn’t want to be “collateral damage” of the new rule.
Texas State mascot

Mascot-Reveal Videos Are the Newest College Sports Tradition

Student mascot unmasking videos are going mega-viral.

Stafford Signs $55 Million Extension With Rams

The 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player receives a sizable pay increase.

Featured Today

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann
May 22, 2026

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
May 14, 2026

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).
Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga
May 14, 2026

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
St. John's Zuby Ejiofor

Why Rev-Share Era Hasn’t Been a Boon for Basketball-Only Schools

Power conference men’s basketball rosters aren’t restricted to the rev-share cap.
NBA Cup
November 26, 2025

Luka Dončić Wants ‘Dangerous’ NBA Cup Court Designs Changed

Dončić first complained about the court designs two seasons ago.
February 11, 2026

Jameis Winston Says He’s Given Seven Figures to Florida State

Winston led Florida State football to its last national championship. 
Sponsored

How Microsoft and the Premier League Are Making Fans Feel Closer to the Game

The Premier League reaches fans in 189 countries. Now, with Microsoft, it is making global fandom more personal through AI.
Fernando Tatis
October 6, 2025

Arbitrator Says Tatis Jr. Must Pay Big League Advance Millions

Tatis has called the agreement a “predatory” loan.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
August 11, 2025

NBA Christmas Slate Leans on LeBron, Steph; Bets on Flagg

The Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets are all in action.