Saturday, May 23, 2026

Under Armour Axes NFL Licensing Deal

  • Under Armour has pulled back another deal, ending its on-field licensing contract with the NFL.
  • The decision comes as the company restructures its business model.
tom_brady_holding_football
Under Armour

Under Armour is ending its on-field licensing contract with the NFL and restructuring its business to focus on being “a performance brand” above all.

Products with the company’s logo will be barred from being worn or displayed on the field during NFL games.

The decision comes after Under Armour terminated multiple collegiate contracts in the last year. 

  • Cut ties with Cal and its 10-year, $85 million deal.
  • Left its record 15-year, $280 million deal with UCLA.
  • Paid $9.75 million to exit its 10-year, $50 million deal with Cincinnati.

In 2019, Under Armour also backed out of a deal to provide MLB uniforms, saying it would save the company $50 million.

On-field NFL licensing agreements are estimated to be valued between $10 and $15 million.

Under Armour-sponsored NFL athletes are reportedly “re-evaluating” their marketing opportunities ahead of next season, though the company confirmed its contract with Super Bowl-bound Tom Brady is intact.

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

Stafford Signs $55 Million Extension With Rams

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

Rays $2.3B Stadium Plan Survives Narrow Tampa City Council Vote

The Tampa City Council narrowly approves a non-binding stadium agreement.
exclusive

World Cup Will Block Notorious Dallas Glare for At Least One Game

FIFA will use the curtains for a 6 p.m. kickoff match this summer.

Political Sparring Intensifies Over Bears’ $5B Stadium Future

The stadium saga is the center of a growing political fight.

Featured Today

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

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.
Texas State mascot
May 22, 2026

Mascot-Reveal Videos Are the Newest College Sports Tradition

Student mascot unmasking videos are going mega-viral.
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).
Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28, during the media conference celebrating the 1000-day countdown to LA28 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.

Wasserman Buyers Narrow as PE Conflicts Sideline Major Firms

Private-equity firm TA Associates has removed itself from the running.
April 16, 2026

How Taylor Swift’s Catalog Led Her Former Label Boss Into Sports

Scott Borchetta profited greatly from the sale of Swift’s masters.
April 23, 2026

Want to Own a 100-Year-Old Austrian Soccer Team for $500?

Vestible’s first team is Kapfenberger SV 1919.
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.
John and Louis Antonelli
exclusive
April 13, 2026

Chernin Group Leads Funding Round in Social Box Score App ‘Real’

The app combines live stats and play-by-play with a social media experience.
Jack Nicklaus speaks to media prior to the start of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on May 27, 2025.
March 27, 2026

Jack Nicklaus Re-Acquires Nicklaus Companies After Lawsuit

Nicklaus takes back ownership of marks like the iconic Golden Bear.
Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark dribbles up the court against Team USA during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on July 20, 2024.
February 3, 2026

Fund Backing Women’s Sports Raises $250M and Counting

Jason Wright oversees a fund that has secured $250 million.
January 28, 2026

CVC’s New Sports Business Buys Into $300M Equestrian Company

Global Sport Group bought a controlling stake in Equine Network.