As college athletics spending continues to increase, schools such as the University of Washington are constantly trying to identify new sources of revenue.
UW could have a significant one coming in 2019, when its current apparel contract with Nike expires.
That agreement – a 10-year deal due to expire June 30, 2019 – pays UW an average of roughly $3.5 million per year in product and cash compensation (the school is due a total of $3.842 million in product and cash in 2017-18).
UW can begin negotiating a new apparel contract Feb. 1, 2018, though its current agreement with Nike grants the corporation the right of first dealing and refusal – meaning Nike will have the opportunity to match any offer UW might receive from, say, Adidas or Under Armour, during the term of the current agreement or in the 180 days after it ends.