The University of Hawai'i athletic department announced a breakthrough eight-year, $4.1 million apparel contract with Under Armour during a press conference at the Stan Sheriff Center today.

According to the announcement, UH is to receive $2.4 million in products for athletes, coaches and staff, $1.68 million in cash, including $1.14 million in rights fees and a minimum of $540,000 in marketing support.

In the first year UH is to receive goods and cash valued at $440,000 — $125,000 in rights fees, $225,000 in product allowances, $20,000 in coaches' apparel, $10,000 in staff apparel, $10,000 in camp apparel and $50,000 in marketing support.

People involved have described the eight-year deal as "incredible" for UH, which has never before had as comprehensive a deal.

"We're thrilled to add Hawai'i to the very select list of football programs we're outfitting," said Kevin Plank, chairman and CEO of Under Armour.

"We identified UH as a team we wanted to outfit with our state-of-the-art performance apparel, uniforms and footwear and we look forward to giving their (players) an advantage on the field while also using the relationship to showcase our latest innovations in footwear, uniform designs, fabrics and textiles," Plank said in a press release.

"This is certainly a landmark deal for UH athletics," interim athletic director Carl Clapp said.

"Under Armour offers quality line of football products and our players will be thrilled to wear its apparel," said UH football coach Greg McMackin.

The deal, which Under Armour characterized as "multi-faceted," will begin in July and is said to provide UH athletic teams with apparel and footwear and will also bring the athletic department a cash payment in addition to marketing. Under Armour will become a platinum sponsor of UH. Platinum sponsorship-level status normally involve cash or trade in excess of $100,000.

The agreement is the result of bidding among several major companies, reportedly including Russell Athletic and Nike, and follows the football team's appearance in the New Year's Day Sugar Bowl and Top 20 finish in the polls.

UH is one of a handful of universities with significant deal with Under Armour, a 12-year old Maryland-based manufacturer. Auburn, Maryland, South Carolina and Texas Tech also have major agreements with the firm.

UH's current deal with Nike expires in May.