UAB athletics director Mark Ingram and his athletics department carefully weighed apparel options as its contract with Nike was set to expire this summer.

Ingram and head football coach Bill Clark traveled to Portland, Ore., and met with Adidas representatives. Nike came to Birmingham, and Ingram, Clark and former men's basketball coach Jerod Haase flew to Baltimore to meet with Under Armour.

Ingram went in with the idea that Under Armour didn't know much about UAB's current athletics situation, including the rebirth of UAB football. He stressed UAB's academics, hospital and world-class medical research programs.

Despite his initial concerns, it didn't take long for Ingram to be sold on Under Armour as UAB's apparel provider.

"Under Armour has a very edgy brand that seems to resonate with young people," Ingram said. "Kids seem to get younger all the time. It's become a very popular brand and they've done a great job in the United States and internationally promoting their brand.

"They've had an upward trajectory since the day they launched (in 1996). They really were excited about being a part of this and wanted to be a part of the story."

The contract, which was provided to AL.com through a public records request, stated that the seven-year agreement started on June 1, 2016, and runs through May 31, 2023. UAB's product allowance will start at $1,075,000 and Under Armour will pay UAB a $50,000 rights fee each year. The contract can be renewed for an additional three years by mutually consenting in writing by Oct. 1, 2022.

The average product allowance over the seven-year span is around $1,026,000; a number that Ingram said is around three to four times higher than its previous deal with Nike and a number significantly higher than what Nike and Adidas offered.

The contract also states that Under Armour can produce a commemorative football uniform and certain sideline products to honor UAB's return to competitive action in 2017.

UAB started wearing the apparel in July.

"The shirts definitely feel good," cornerback Darious Williams said. "The cleats are amazing. They're super light. The socks look cool. Under Armour was a pretty good deal."

Todd Locklear, Under Armour's manager of collegiate team sports, said the Birmingham market and UAB's football rebirth were key attractions.

"UAB checks a lot of boxes for us," Locklear said. "They demand excellence on and off the field. We are the same way."

Some of the top athletes in the world have Under Armour endorsement deals, including Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper, top NFL quarterbacks Cam Newton and Tom Brady, pro golfer Jordan Spieth and Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry.

The Curry brand of shoes have resonated well with UAB basketball players, Ingram said. Men's basketball coach Robert Ehsan echoed those sentiments.

"Under Armour basketball pretty much started at the University of Maryland when I was there," Ehsan said. "I'm a huge fan of the brand and what they've been doing in basketball. I have great relationships with many people in their company. They've been investing in basketball. The gear and the shoes are top notch and it's been a positive for our program. Our guys have really liked it."

Ehsan said players like the diversity of shoe options. They have set designs for basketball uniforms, but they have not arrived yet.

"For the individuals, it's about finding the right fit," Ehsan said. "The new Steph Curry line is what our guys enjoy a lot."

Go to a UAB athletic event now and you'll see players and athletic staffers in Under Armour apparel. In some sports, like tennis, track and volleyball, Under Armour shoes are still in development and players can wear another brand. Volleyball players sport Mizuno shoes.

While UAB started wearing the apparel in July, the contract was finalized this month.

"We wanted to make sure it was thorough and addressed," Ingram said. "We didn't want to leave any speculation or room for doubt. That's for our protection and their protection and making sure we're doing what we're supposed to do."

Another benefit is that more UAB apparel will be visible in sporting goods stores, said Frank Cuervo, UAB's senior associate athletics director for external relations.

"Under Armour does a fantastic job of taking their product from the sideline to retail," Cuervo said. "Relationship's in its infancy right now, but that'll get better in year one and year two of our partnership."

The contract stipulates that Under Armour will have right of exclusive renewal negotiations until Oct. 1, 2022 (or Oct. 1, 2025 if contract is extended) and will have the right to match any third party offer submitted between the exclusive negotiation end date and contract end date (May 31, 2023, or May 31, 2026, if contract is extended).

But it's clear early on that Under Armour is a big hit for UAB.

"They've made us feel important," UAB head football coach Bill Clark said. "Obviously the gear and all, that's great. It's exciting that they stepped up and said, 'We want you.' That's what you want."

View the contract.

UAB Under Armour Sept 2016 by Drew Champlin on Scribd