Nike is paying the Colorado athletic department $2.5 million to wear their equipment this year

Outfitting college athletic programs is a big business.

Christian Clark

Sep. 02, 2016, 12:50 p.m.

Nike is paying Colorado a lot of money just to wear their clothes. (sazzers/Flickr) — Nike is paying Colorado a lot of money just to wear their clothes. (Flickr)

Outfitting college athletic programs is a big business.

Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are set to pay out roughly $300 million to different university athletic departments in 2016, according to the Portland Business Journal.

Athletic apparel companies pay for each school’s athletic gear in addition to an annual cash payment.

This year, Nike is shelling out $1.755 million to provide the University of Colorado’s athletic department with apparel. Nike is also giving CU $750,000 in cash, which brings the total cost of outfitting the Buffaloes in only Nike gear to $2.505 million.

And that is nowhere close to the most lucrative deal out there.

Big 12 giant Texas is getting $9 million in cash (!!!) and $3.85 million worth of equipment and clothing this year. That’s a grand total of $12.85 million.

Starting in 2017, UCLA will also get a $9 million annual cash payout from Under Armour.

The money pumped in and out of college athletics only continues to swell. Which makes it even crazier that college athletes won’t see a dollar of the cash payouts athletic departments are getting.

Marijuana grows in The Clinic's warehouse in Denver's Overland neighborhood. March 19, 2021.

Denver legalizes weed delivery (and other things to know about the biggest overhaul ever to the city’s marijuana laws)

City Council passed the biggest changes to the city's marijuana laws since recreational sales began. Mayor Hancock still needs to sign off on the rules, potentially on 4/20.

Snow blankets Denver's Central Park neighborhood. Nov, 24, 2020.

Denver snow: Storm could disrupt commutes, will definitely disrupt belief spring exists

After the snow falls, the Front Range will face near-record low temperatures. Happy April!

The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site near Eads, Colo.

After past missteps, History Colorado includes Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in a Sand Creek Massacre exhibit

“We want to be involved in telling the story. We haven't had that and didn't have that in the earlier times."

Nhung Mai gives Demetrio Rodriguez a COVID-19 vaccine at a city-run clinic inside the Barnum Recreation Center. March 10, 2021.

Denver says it wants to help more Latinos get the COVID vaccine. Data shows that’s not happening.

A fraction of Latino residents have gotten an initial shot, while white residents are nearing 75 percent.

Ashira Campbell leads a protest against police brutality through North Capitol Hill. April 17, 2021.

Denverites protest more police killings as they wait for the verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial

"Honestly, if they let him free all hell's going to break loose."

Restaurant operators say fewer COVID-19 restrictions “didn’t really change all that much” on the first day

The six-foot distancing rule is still a huge limiting factor.

Denver Water workers replace lead pipes leading into a home in Whittier. April 15, 2021.

Why you received an ominous Brita filter in the mail from Denver Water

The short answer is the utility is trying to get the lead out. Here is the medium-sized answer.

The driving space on Santa Fe Drive was recently slimmed in favor of more room to walk and roll by its galleries. April 9, 2021.

Art District on Santa Fe considers resuming First Fridays

With new programming, good weather and improving optimism, businesses and galleries are seeing more foot traffic.

Spring in Civic Center Park, April 20, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Things to do in Denver this weekend, April 16-18

With snow in the forecast, consider watching some movies?

A billboard interrupts the view of University Hills for a few apartments in the DECO apartment building on Colorado Boulevard. April 14, 2021.

Why some people nearly had Garth Brooks staring into their homes on Colorado Boulevard

Instead, they got the Wright brothers.

Main Htoo carries her son through the Hidden Brook Apartments in East Colfax, Nov. 21, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver’s considering forcing landlords to apply for licenses to rent their properties

The goal would be to give the city a better idea of how many rentals exist and more leverage over enforcing housing standards.

Local 46 on Tennyson Street is closed for social distancing. April 28, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

What the new, looser COVID-19 restrictions mean for your social life, Denver

Denver is moving to level Blue on the COVID-19 dial. Here's how the new restrictions affect bars, theatres, restaurants and gyms.

Nikkol Grimes, left, and Sonja Taylor relax while watching Grease during the 21st annual Film on the Rocks, drive-in edition at Red Rocks Park on Aug. 13, 2020. Grimes is a Grease fanatic who says she’s probably seen the classic movie 50 times.

Film on the Rocks is rolling back to Red Rocks. Here’s what you can watch and when.

Some screenings will even return to the amphitheater!

Inside the Bagel Store in Washington Virginia Vale. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Zaidy’s Deli will reopen at a new Holly and Leetsdale location after closing in Cherry Creek last year

It’ll bring back old recipes, as well as the original owner to work on the staff.

Nhung Mai draws out a COVID-19 vaccine at a city-run clinic inside the Barnum Recreation Center. March 10, 2021.

Denver also stops use of vaccine from Johnson & Johnson

Six women who received the vaccine, out of 6.8 million people, are known to have had a stroke. One person has died.

Zee, 19, and her husband Chris S., 20, who are both deaf, sign to each other as they cuddle. Christmas Day at Urban Peak, a shelter for Denver's homeless youth, Dec. 25, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

As the need grows for shelters for minors experiencing homelessness, Denver chips in money for services

City Council approved two contracts worth $1.6 million for Urban Peak, which serves people ages 15 to 24.

Fireworks on July 3, or Independence Day Eve. 2016. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Airbnb is cracking down on Fourth of July one-night stays to prevent partying in the pandemic

Guests “without a history of positive reviews” won’t be able to book one-night stays in Denver over Independence Day weekend.

After a year of furloughs and delays, Colorado Ballet is finally getting back into dancing shape

Colorado Ballet performs its first live, in-person show after a year of furloughs and postponed seasons

Ummidia paulacushingae, the trapdoor spider named for Denver Museum of Nature and Science invertebrate curator Paula Cushing.

The Museum of Nature and Science’s arachnid queen now has a trapdoor spider named after her

It's the third animal species named in honor of scientist Paula Cushing.

3435 Albion St. Northeast Park Hill. April 8, 2021.

One of the oldest homes in Northeast Park Hill could be on the chopping block

The owner has filed for a permit to consider demolishing the 132-year-old home. It's under contract to be sold.

More Denverite

Nike is paying Colorado a lot of money just to wear their clothes. (Flickr)