BC Switching to Under Armour

[gerbe3:16 19]

It's going to be interesting to see what UA does.

We'll probably see socks and jerseys at least for next season as they put themselves into the hockey world with Boston College. Probably something similar to Edge stuff. They may try to make a buck off of it and try to get custom/retail market share on jerseys and socks down the road. But basically it will be BC hockey unis just showing off a UA logo.

I just can't imagine them going into the equipment side.

Basically, this deal is all about BC football and basketball and UA putting their logo on everything BC. BC makes big money. UA gets their logo everywhere in the ACC markets. The very small bonus is that they'll have their logo on the hockey unis too in all likelihood.

Unless BC has a some other deal for hockey, at least their kids aren't forced to wear RBK/CCM gloves now.

I personally am pumped about this in terms of what it will do for the other sports. And I really wasn't impressed with most of the Reebok stuff they've been putting out for years and years (BC's maroon = "Reebok Red").

[Chadd 916]

Basically, this deal is all about BC football and basketball and UA putting their logo on everything BC. BC makes big money. UA gets their logo everywhere in the ACC markets. The very small bonus is that they'll have their logo on the hockey unis too in all likelihood.

I agree with you completely. They would be better served getting into the jersey and apparel markets, much better margins there and it fits their business model much better.

[Quintin 16]

A sign of things to come

Personally I'd love it if UA had a hockey brand. Practically the majority of the hockey market uses UA baselayers (you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better). They have a mass media following and would help sell the sport (sure it wasn't great but Disney brought Mighty Ducks and look how well that turned out!). Sure they might not have had any experience with protectives and skates and all but hell, it'd be worth it to just get to see intense hockey adverts.

WE MUST PROTECT THIS RINK!

[number21 3]

I have always found UA's ads so ridiculous that they we're funny. Guys in their underwear, sorry base layer, yelling and screaming about protecting this house.

Then seeing the logo slapped on cheap looking shoes at the big box sporting goods store. Didn't impress much either.

[dsjunior1388 81]

A sign of things to come

Personally I'd love it if UA had a hockey brand. Practically the majority of the hockey market uses UA baselayers (you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better). They have a mass media following and would help sell the sport (sure it wasn't great but Disney brought Mighty Ducks and look how well that turned out!). Sure they might not have had any experience with protectives and skates and all but hell, it'd be worth it to just get to see intense hockey adverts.

WE MUST PROTECT THIS RINK!

They have an ad with Phaneuf too. I love the UA cold gear because me and my friends are the type of idiots who play football for 3 hours in the snow and 10 degree weather, and like their brand overall. I did a minor study on their marketing and PR approach for a PR class I had and was fascinated by their success without really advertising individual products. I think they should be commended for it, not knocked for it. I also got a sweet deal (about 40 bucks) on their visor, it was brand new, and I thought it was fantastic. Used it for two years with no fogging, it was pretty impervious to scratches until the last day I wore it, (when it go dinged and I swore off visors lol) and I liked the size and shape of it, felt very protected without looking like Heatley. I will say that I wouldn't spend 90 bucks on it, but overall I was very impressed.

[Cove 39]

There will likely be UA logos on the jerseys and socks, but the uni's will be made by some other company. As mentioned, some schools have Adidas contracts, and Adidas doesn't make hockey gear.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/232709...2fd7a19.jpg?v=0

BUT Adidas does own Reebok.

I know the Canadian university system is 100% different in terms of endorsements and deals of that sort but all the teams at the university of Western Ontario wear Adidas except for the football team who is decked out in Underarmour. Some of the nike schools wear Nike wrestling singlets even tho Nike only produces mid teir wrestling shoes.

[dsjunior1388 81]

There will likely be UA logos on the jerseys and socks, but the uni's will be made by some other company. As mentioned, some schools have Adidas contracts, and Adidas doesn't make hockey gear.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/232709...2fd7a19.jpg?v=0

BUT Adidas does own Reebok.

I know the Canadian university system is 100% different in terms of endorsements and deals of that sort but all the teams at the university of Western Ontario wear Adidas except for the football team who is decked out in Underarmour. Some of the nike schools wear Nike wrestling singlets even tho Nike only produces mid teir wrestling shoes.

This might be a stupid question but I'm confused. When you say Adidas owns Reebok, does that mean Adidas owns The Hockey Company, aka CCM and Reebok hockey? or do they just own the Reebok hockey line. Is that possible?

[mwerth 5]

There will likely be UA logos on the jerseys and socks, but the uni's will be made by some other company. As mentioned, some schools have Adidas contracts, and Adidas doesn't make hockey gear.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/232709...2fd7a19.jpg?v=0

BUT Adidas does own Reebok.

I know the Canadian university system is 100% different in terms of endorsements and deals of that sort but all the teams at the university of Western Ontario wear Adidas except for the football team who is decked out in Underarmour. Some of the nike schools wear Nike wrestling singlets even tho Nike only produces mid teir wrestling shoes.

If I'm reading you right, you're basically saying that uniforms/apparel/equipment/etc. are handled at Canadian universities on a team-by-team basis. This is also the case at many US schools. For example, until very recently, Maryland had Nike basketball jerseys, Under Armour football jerseys, and Adidas soccer jerseys. The deals that apparel and sporting goods companies make with schools are driven by exposure, so if they don't feel it would benefit them to cover all sports, they won't make the offer. Conversely, schools like BC get big-time television exposure being both in the ACC and in a major sports market, so Under Armour, like Reebok before them, will also gain the exposure by having their logos all over BC's athetic department.

Additionally, if the universities make their deals properly, athletes are not forced to wear inferior gear solely based on the brand. This is why Texas baseball uses Louisville Slugger bats with Nike uniforms and USC football wears Oakley visors rather than an inferior Nike version. As such, the reason for Wisconsin providing their players with Bauer gear might be a feeling that the Reebok gear (owned by Adidas) could deprive their team of the best.

[ThePurpleCobra 0]

I have a buddy at BC now and another who is going next year, I could ask and see what I can get for answers

[Master P 0]

Today I saw a picture of some students at the local college football game. A group painted their chest to spell out the team name. They also put an UA logo on their chest. LOL.

[JoeyJ0506 192]

you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better

Please elaborate :)

[cptjeff 0]

you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better

Please elaborate :)

I'm thinking he's just sending out a notice to the world about his fanboyisim.

[JoeyJ0506 192]

you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better

Please elaborate :)

I'm thinking he's just sending out a notice to the world about his fanboyisim.

Well, there you go. For me it's personal preference. I'm not trying to get into a fight over it.

[goaliekilr 0]

AT Clarkson, the players can wear whatever they want they have a player in Grafs, and a couple in Easton, they all choose to wear the Bauers.

Clarkson is much more strict with their bauer contract. All but one player use bauer skates (the one guy uses Eastons- Think he's using a stealth right now), and everyone uses buaer sticks, helmets, and gloves. Every player uses 4 rolls, and helmets vary in model.

[reddevils9119 1]

I go to Northeastern, everyone wears a 4500, uses Easton 4-rolls and a S-19, not too sure on the skates though, I would assume they would be able to use whatever they want. I don't know why they don't use Easton helmets though, I think they must have just signed a deal with them, and everything else seems to be Easton stuff.

[LivHockey84 0]

I know a lot of companies offer their own base layer/wicking shirts, etc...but UA has become the name in that sector (correct me if I'm wrong). The 'UA' on the gear would almost certainly equal additonal sales to the sheeple who "just have ot have it" because they want to 'Protect This House/Rink'

Actually, something I'm seeing in the base-layer/moisture wicking market, at least in my area, is a shift away from everyone wearing UA. I was a strictly UA user in high school because everyone else's similar product felt like a cheap knock-off. But, lately I've stopped buying UA because other companies have come out with more comfortable versions. The Nike Pro-fit line is my specific example. The stuff is very soft and just feels better against the skin than UA's almost plastic-like feel.

As for what is going to happen with UA Hockey... I have no idea, I'd like to hear more for DarkStar about it...

I agree, Champion makes a version of "Cold Gear" & i use the long pants and long sleeve and they are great! They wick the moisture away keep me warm & loose...and for $40 for both...WAY cheaper than UA.

[epstud74 24]

UA is a relative newcomer to hockey IMO

[Quintin 16]

you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better

Please elaborate :)

I'm thinking he's just sending out a notice to the world about his fanboyisim.

Well, there you go. For me it's personal preference. I'm not trying to get into a fight over it.

Fanboyism? The countless times people argue over whether UA or Nike Pro is better is ridiculous, just like whether hockey company A is better than hockey company B. In the end, it's just baselayer. It'll do it's job.

Practically the majority of the hockey market uses UA baselayers (you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better).

Are you sure about this? Just curious what facts you have to support this...

I'm using practically very loosely there so correct me if I'm wrong. With the job the marketing UA's done, I'd be hard pressed if they were having trouble with the hockey market, especially with the younger players. Might not be the case with the NHL but in your local hockey market. Practically half of the pro team guys and most of the junior development players here use UA rather than Nike, and Nike's a bigger machine over here because it is more readily available. I don't know if it's because our LHS has a deal with UA or something as Nike isn't sold there but it's getting players to wear them.

[IniNew 53]

you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better

Please elaborate :)

I'm thinking he's just sending out a notice to the world about his fanboyisim.

Well, there you go. For me it's personal preference. I'm not trying to get into a fight over it.

Fanboyism? The countless times people argue over whether UA or Nike Pro is better is ridiculous, just like whether hockey company A is better than hockey company B. In the end, it's just baselayer. It'll do it's job.

Practically the majority of the hockey market uses UA baselayers (you'd be an idiot to keep arguing whether Nike Pro or UA is better).

Are you sure about this? Just curious what facts you have to support this...

I'm using practically very loosely there so correct me if I'm wrong. With the job the marketing UA's done, I'd be hard pressed if they were having trouble with the hockey market, especially with the younger players. Might not be the case with the NHL but in your local hockey market. Practically half of the pro team guys and most of the junior development players here use UA rather than Nike, and Nike's a bigger machine over here because it is more readily available. I don't know if it's because our LHS has a deal with UA or something as Nike isn't sold there but it's getting players to wear them.

Just judging by watching interview during games, I'd even go as far as to say the NHL is >%50 UA. They're always wearing shirts with the UA logo on one side and their team logo on the other.

[Law Goalie 147]

The one property UA has that can get them into hockey is Coretection (aka CoreShorts). That may well get them into the pants of most guys in the NHL, in time; hence Nash's role. Paying people off to wear one wicking compression shirt with one logo on the neck instead of another is vacuous marketing. A CoreTection line that incorporated, say, McDavid or Zoombang-style padding could be huge not only in hockey but in every other sport.

I also have a feeling UA is going to take a long, hard look at buying a performance sock company - one that's deep into the cycling and running worlds and has some real technology to bring to the table. UA's socks, like almost everyone else's, are crap - and there are a couple of companies out there with products that make Oxysox look like cotton tube socks.

[shooter27 117]

In terms of these college gear contracts that everyone is talking about - on a basic level the contracts require all players to wear a certain brand helmet, gloves, and pants, (in most cases they end up wearing shoulders, elbows, shins by the same company because its cheaper for the school to buy from that company) but skates are up to the preference of the player. In some cases there is a limit that X number or X% of the team has to wear the main partner's skates, but most players get to make their own choice. This extends to sticks too. Some schools, everyone will have to use the partner's brand stick, whereas some schools they can use whatever stick they want.

Just look at the USHL as an example - they have a comprehensive deal with RBK/CCM that stipulates they use everything, including sticks, that are RBK/CCM, but they are all allowed to choose whatever skate they like.

[bostonbruins 0]

Just thought i would update the thread. Under Armour didnt change the jersey, it is just like the reebok ones. BC is now using Bauer helmets & gloves.

[mug25 2]

Not! The guys at TPS would not agree with that assessment. The guys at Shock Doctor did a one and done with their stab at hockey equipment. The guys at Warrior are trying but the crossover from success in lacrosse with fewer brands to battle in lacrosse as compared to battling Bauer's brand AND product is not as easy as they or anyone may think. Getting in the game of hockey equipment is silly if your goal is to fight for market share with RBK or Easton because what percent of the market are you actually chasing? Not much, I'm afraid. Therefore, if you want to battle Bauer, your fiscal resources, your management team, your RD & D, and so much more are already 3 to 5 years behind in competing with Bauer. There is so much to do if you want to get in the business end as a vendor that it is staggering. Ok, Warrior jumped in through the back door by buying Innovative and MIA. Smart move for instant exposure and product recognition. Warrior, as I said, is trying to compete now on the protective level. They have many more miles to go in their drive. What can UA do to get close to Warrior's business model to compete? Who can they grab to get anything that gets them in the front door, not the back door? Is a UA logo really going to turn some kid on to buy a practice jersey, Edge style socks, or apparel? Is a UA logo going to matter to a shop equipment buyer when he knows which brands already have sell through and turn his inventory? This is a business, not a playground.

You pretty much just summed it all up. UA's brand is strong in only the under-apparel and footwear (cleats in particular) area. I personally cant see them even bothering to make a jump into the realm of gear. I think it will be strictly an Adidas type deal where they simply make uniforms and apparel for the Hockey teams. Football on the other hand they get the contract for things like the padded girdles, cleats, gloves etc.,

[goldenseals71 0]

Came across this tonight.

http://store.cstv.com/store_contents.cfm?store_id=396&dept_id=15131&product_id=177710

[gerbe3:16 19]

Rumor is they aren't even made by Under Armour. Also heard the players saw the jerseys when they came in and thought they were terrible. Not sure who made them but definitely something UA just slapped their logo on.

Basically exactly what I expected. At best I thought they'd reverse engineer an EDGE uniform, put their spin on it and change it up slightly, and go with that.

Says a lot right now about what they plan on doing with hockey (ie - nothing).