Given the chance to extend its partnership with UCLA, Nike sounded a familiar refrain.
Just do it.
Back in December, the sports apparel giant quietly exercised its option to add two years to its existing deal with the school, the California Post has learned.
That means a deal originally scheduled to expire on June 30, 2027, will now go through June 30, 2029.
Under the terms of the contract, UCLA will receive $7 million in Nike and Jordan Brand gear for the 2026-27 school year – the final year of the original deal – as well as $7.125 million in gear for the first option year and $7.25 million in gear for the second option year.
Those amounts will be provided in game and practice uniforms, balls and footwear for all 25 varsity programs.
UCLA will also receive $500,000 in cash for each of the next three school years as part of the deal – the same amount it had received in earlier years as part of a contract that took effect on July 1, 2021.
At UCLA’s discretion, it is permitted to carry over up to $200,000 of its annual product allotment from one contract year to the next, provided it gives notice no later than April 1 of the contract year from which the carryover will be taken.
The school is also permitted to increase its cash compensation and reduce its product allotment on a 1:3 ratio, up to a maximum of 25% – unless a greater amount is approved by Nike.
For instance, the Bruins could elect to decrease their 2027-28 product allotment by up to $1,781,250 – 25% of $7.125 million – and increase their base compensation for the same contract year by one-third of the decrease, or up to $593,750, so long as they inform Nike in writing by March 1 of the applicable contract year.
Over the most recent school year, UCLA’s success triggered cash performance bonuses in multiple sports. The women’s basketball team netted $50,000 for winning the national championship, $25,000 for making the Final Four and $10,000 for winning the Big Ten Conference regular-season title.
The softball team triggered a combined $10,000 bonus for its NCAA Tournament Regional and Super Regional titles, and the baseball team secured a combined $7,500 for winning conference regular-season and tournament titles.
Under the terms of the agreement, UCLA is required to negotiate with Nike in good faith with respect to the terms of a renewal of the agreement prior to March 31, 2028, without engaging in discussions or negotiations with any third party about a new apparel sponsorship deal.
UCLA’s deal with Nike and Jordan Brand replaced the landmark $280-million Under Armour deal that fell apart in 2020 when Under Armour backed out of its contract with the school, leading to a $67.49-million settlement.
Bruins players and coaches have universally lauded the comfort and cool factor of wearing Nike and Jordan Brand products since the new deal took effect.
