The unofficial online home for fans of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(08-09-2019 12:48 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(08-09-2019 12:39 PM)Cat-Man Wrote:  I saw some UC gear made by Russell at Wal-Mart. How is that possible?
Actually picked up a really cool UC ball cap (made by Russell) for $10 bucks.

The UA/UC deal isn't exclusive except in terms of team uniforms and coaches' attire. UC logo shirts are made by numerous other licensees such as Champion, Cutter and Buck, Antigua and plenty more.

The idea is to have product at various price points to ge more people wearing the brand. The guy who attends one UC game a year with a friend is probably happy with a $20 UC polo; the season ticket holder may want the current year's $80 UA shirt the coaches wear. The NFL and MLB seem to follow this same model in producing product for every fan's budget.

Champion, Alternative, Gear for Sports, and Under Armour at retail are distributed by the same company Gear for Sports by Hanes Brand. It’s why you will see the UC bookstore and other retail establishments loaded up with a lot of Champion products at lower price points than UA. Basically it’s all the same company using a license to distribute fan apperal to different tiers. Homage, 47 Brand, and the Original Retro Brand are really the only high end mainstream options outside of a Hanes label. One issue with the UA deal is that it put UC under the Hanes inc family of brands, good if you love Champion and Alternative Apperal. No more Tailgate, Majestic, Fanatics or Adidas. Honestly go the Gear for Sports website, then look at UC licensees as it is rather limited in the apparel department. Then check the bookstore website and realize it’s all coming from the same place minus a few select companies.