UCLA’s $200-million lawsuit against Under Armour Continues

Which part protects against lawsuits?

Judge refuses to dismiss UCLA’s $200-million lawsuit against Under Armour

Ben Bolch, 8-26-21, LA Times

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge Thursday rejected Under Armour’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit brought by UCLA seeking more than $200 million in damages after the apparel company backed out of its agreement with the school last year. Judge H. Jay Ford III gave Under Armour 20 business days to respond to his decision, setting the next court date for Sept. 23. “Despite Under Armour’s expensive legal maneuvers, UCLA and fair play won today,” said Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for strategic communications. 

“The story of Under Armour’s corporate shenanigans and broken promises that left our student-athletes and the Bruin community out to dry is one that deserves to be told. We’re gratified that the court cleared the way for the case to proceed.” An Under Armour spokesperson said the company does not comment on litigation.

UCLA sued Under Armour in August 2020, alleging breach of contract after the apparel company reneged on its 15-year, $280-million sponsorship deal with the school that was the most lucrative in the history of college sports. Under Armour told the school it was invoking the force majeure clause of the contract in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that halted college sports and that the UCLA baseball team had completed fewer than 50% of its games, a requirement for one of its core teams. Ford wrote in his ruling that Under Armour failed to establish that its termination of the agreement was clearly permitted under a force majeure clause...

Full story at https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/story/2021-08-26/judge-quashes-under-armours-attempt-to-dismiss-200-million-ucla-lawsuit.