The headlines dropped two years ago with a dollar figure that made news even in this cash-flush era of college sports.
UCLA and Under Armour signed the richest contract in college apparel sponsorship history with a $280 million deal that covered 15 years. That topped Ohio State's 2016 contract with Nike worth $252 million that trumped Texas' $250 million agreement a year earlier with the swoosh.
The arms race was on and Alabama appeared to be on deck since a widely reported extension signed in 2010 had a June 30, 2018 expiration date. Given the nine-figure paydays for fellow heavyweights, sports business experts predicted Alabama would secure a similar windfall.