William McCormack, Contributing Photographer

Since signing a $16.5 million contract eight years ago, Under Armour has solely sponsored all of Yale Athletics’ varsity and club teams. Now, the continuation of the partnership is uncertain, as Yale Athletics keeps the future of the contract under wraps. 

According to the Student-Athlete Handbook, all varsity athletes must wear Under Armour apparel when representing Yale in competition due to a sponsorship deal signed between the two in January 2016. This was the school’s first all-sports deal, and its most expensive. 

“Yale Athletics highly values the partnership with Under Armour,” Sam Greil, the assistant athletic director of brand management, wrote to the News. “We are proud to be the only Athletics Department in the Ivy League to be outfitted by them.”

With Big 10 conference contenders such as the University of Maryland and the University of Wisconsin as fellow sponsorees, Yale was considered a unique choice, given that its athletics are not as prominently featured or advertised as other teams. However, Yale’s brand carries a certain global elite status that made the deal worth it to Under Armour, Bloomberg wrote when it was originally signed.

The historic rivalries between Yale and Harvard extend beyond just tradition and athletic competition — the schools’ sponsors also clash in the realm of business. All other Ivy League teams are sponsored by the apparel company Nike. 

“There’s probably three leading manufacturers of [sports] goods in the country right now— Nike, Under Armour and Adidas,” Glenn Kreig, retail director of Legends Global Merchandise, told the News. “Adidas is making a push on Under Armour, and Under Armour is making a push on Nike, and Nike is pushing back on all of them.”

As Yale competes for victory amongst the many collegiate teams in the NCAA and the Ivy League, so too does Under Armour. Exposure and prestige are the name of the game and have become a binding link between the Bulldogs and its athletic supplier. Under Armour attempts to maintain an elite status by only outfitting one Ivy League university, Yale. 

Fashioning whatever apparel the Eli’s need, be it uniforms, cleats or pads, Under Armour exposes Yale Athletics to its global consumer base. In return, Yale has worn Under Armour to tournaments across all sports since 2016, including the Yale men’s basketball team’s historic run during March Madness last year, a fitting mirroring of their brand’s underdog status in its competition with Nike.

The partnership between Yale and Under Armour is not limited solely to varsity athletics. The sports company also outfits Yale’s club and intramural sports teams, which have worn the company’s wares during their triumphs in club competition and intramural rivalry for the Tyng Cup. No matter the level of competition, Yale athletes proudly wear the interlocked U and A. 

“It feels great to represent the brand and all that,” Ethan Martinez ’26, an athlete on the Yale club soccer team, told the News. “We’re the only non-Nike school in the Ivy [League], and that’s cool.”

Now, however, that brand representation is up for debate. The Yale and Under Armour contract expires in 2026, and there is no indication of its continuation. 

“Unfortunately, at this time, I cannot provide any information on that subject,” Greil wrote to the News when asked about the renewal of the sponsorship.

Under Armour is currently worth $3.61 billion. Nike is worth $123.1 billion. 

REMI CLARK-REDSTAR