The Texas Tech Red Raiders won over the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, making them the first Division I Men's Basketball team sponsored by Under Armour to play in the national championship.
Texas Tech will be first Under Armour team to play for the college basketball title.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 7, 2019
Peep Under Armour's short tribute clip for the Red Raiders right after their 61-51 win.
Wreck ‘em and advance. @TexasTechMBB flexes their 🔒-down defense to #UnleashChaos on Sparty. The Red Raiders are headed to the Natty. 🏀 #WEWILL pic.twitter.com/tpA26ddHRA
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) April 7, 2019
This year, two college squads sponsored by the company — Texas Tech and Auburn — made their first Final Four appearance in history. Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour, tagged the feat as a “huge, huge moment for the brand,” adding that it's validation that they're doing something right.
“You’ve got two amazing Cinderella stories like Texas Tech and the Auburn Tigers, their first Final Four appearances and they are doing it wearing our brand,” Plank said, per Holden Wilen of the Baltimore Business Journal. “I think it just underscores the fact that what we are doing is right.”
He also added that the milestone emphasizes how Under Armour takes athlete performance into its designs. Plank believes that UA's products work, as it gives their athletes that extra edge.
Auburn will receive $7.71 million from Under Armour while Texas Tech will get $2.75 million. A total of 17 teams don the company's merchandise — 25 percent of the 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament.
Two other teams have represented Under Armour at the biggest stage, as the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Notre Dame Irish women’s programs won the national championship in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Editor's note: This article has been updated for further clarity.
Follow Us
Subscribe