Under Armour, UCLA drop cases
UCLA and Under Armour Inc. have dropped dueling litigation that began when the university sued the company alleging that the firm wrongfully reneged on its $280 million sports apparel deal with the school in 2020 and cited the pandemic.
A lawyer for the UC Regents, acting on behalf of UCLA, filed court papers with Santa Monica Superior Court Judge H. Jay Ford III asking that all litigation be dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning it cannot be refiled. The court papers do not state whether a settlement was reached, but lawyers in the case told the judge during a June 2 hearing that settlement talks were in progress.
The UC Regents sued Baltimore-based Under Armour in September 2020, alleging that Under Armour told UCLA it was invoking a clause in the agreement due to the coronavirus pandemic to terminate the contract.
“This was not only the most expensive exclusive college sponsorship deal that Under Armour entered into — it was the most lucrative college sponsorship deal by any sportswear company in history,” the suit stated.
The judge, in denying a motion by Under Armour to dismiss the case last August, concluded that the company did not show that its cancellation of the contract was specifically allowed under the clause cited.
At UCLA's request, Under Armour still provided apparel in the fall of 2020 when the football team began playing again, according to the lawsuit.
In its countersuit filed last Sept. 15, Under Armour alleged UCLA breached the record-breaking contract by failing to provide marketing benefits while teams were unable to perform due to the suspension of college sports in 2020 due to the pandemic. Under Armour also alleged UCLA violated a separate agreement by using social justice patches to cover up the brand's logo on uniforms provided to the university after the original sponsorship deal was terminated.
UCLA announced a new deal with Nike's Jordan brand in December 2020.
Ducks sign first-round draft choice Gaucher
The Ducks signed center Nathan Gaucher, the second of their two firstround draft picks earlier this month, to a three-year, entry-level contract worth $950,000 per season. Gaucher, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 207 pounds, was selected 22nd overall in the NHL entry draft July 7. He had 31 goals and 26 assists in 66 games with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this past season. He earned the Mike Bossy Award as the league's top professional prospect and was a finalist for the Guy Carbonneau Award as its best defensive forward.
The Ducks signed defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, their top draft pick, to a similar contract on July 16. Mintyukov, a Moscow native, was selected 10th overall after a stellar season with the Saginaw (Michigan) Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. He had 17 goals and 45 assists in 67 games.
• The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with forward Kaapo Kakko on a two-year contract worth $4.2 million. The deal with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft carries an annual salary cap hit of $2.1 million. Kakko played in 43 games last season, recording seven goals and 11 assists with a plus-nine rating.
F1 champion Vettel to retire at end of season
Four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with his family, the German driver said. Vettel won his four F1 titles from 2010-13 with the Red Bull team. His last race victory came with Ferrari in 2019.
This season with Aston Martin, he has been largely unsuccessful with a best finish of sixth place.
Vettel won 53 races, the third-highest total in F1 behind Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91). He won an F1 record 13 races in 2013.
• Two-time IndyCar champion driver Josef Newgarden was cleared to practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway following his collapse after crashing at Iowa. Newgarden will be re-evaluated today after practice to determine if he can compete Saturday on the road course at Indianapolis.
Newgarden was leading and headed to a sweep of the Iowa doubleheader Sunday when the suspension on his car broke and he smashed hard into the wall. He was evaluated in the Iowa medical center and cleared, but was required to undergo a second check by IndyCar officials at the speedway.
But not long after leaving the care center, Newgarden lost consciousness and collapsed in the motorhome lot. He hit his head on the pavement, opening a wound, and was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital and held overnight.
The 31-year-old returned to Nashville on Monday and visited a specialist this week ahead of traveling to Indianapolis.
• IndyCar champion Alex Palou, who has contracts signed with two different race teams for 2023 and is being sued by Chip Ganassi Racing, declared: “I will be in the McLaren family next year.”
Ganassi this week filed a lawsuit in Marion County Superior Court in Indianapolis that names as defendants both Palou and ALPA Racing, which is listed as Palou's “racing entity.”
At issue is the contract Ganassi holds with the 25-yearold driver. The team owner says he picked up his exclusive option on Palou to bring him back next year for a third season; Palou says he informed CGR he's leaving and signed a contract with McLaren Racing.
Bird loses in her final trip to Connecticut
Alyssa Thomas scored 19 points and the host Connecticut Sun spoiled former UConn star Sue Bird's final scheduled game in the state, beating the Seattle Storm 88-83. The 41-year-old Bird finished with 14 points and seven assists.
The arena was awash in UConn gear, Bird national team jerseys and her familiar No. 10 Storm jersey.
Former player Ware charged with murder
A former NFL player was charged with murder in the killing of his girlfriend, whose remains were found months after she was reported missing last year.
Kevin Ware, who played tight end in 2003 and 2004 for Washington and San Francisco, is also charged with tampering with evidence, specifically a corpse, in the death of Taylor Pomaski. If convicted of murder, he faces up to life in prison. Pomaski, 29, was last seen in April 2021 at a house party in the Houston suburb of Spring. Her remains were found in December.
Altidore to be loaned to Mexico club Pueblo
Former U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore will be loaned to Mexico's Pueblo for the rest of the year by Major League Soccer's New England Revolution. “Jozy initiated that loan,” Revolution coach Bruce Arena said. Altidore, 32, was acquired from Toronto in February and has one goal in four starts and 13 substitute appearances.