Cubs sue Under Armour for pulling out of sponsorship deal

The Chicago Cubs baseball franchise, accusing Under Armour Inc. of reneging on a $10.8 million, five-year sponsorship agreement, sued the athletic-wear maker.

In a complaint filed Jan. 22 in U.S. District Court in Chicago, the ball club said the garment-maker agreed in principle to the deal and is still using Cubs players and the team's stadium, Wrigley Field, in advertisements.

The Baltimore-based maker of perspiration-absorbent shorts and shirts told the Cubs in a Dec. 12 letter it wouldn't sponsor them next season and "would not meet any of its obligations under the agreement," according to the team's complaint, which seeks full payment of the contract price.

"Under Armour's abrupt, unilateral action has left the ball club with no choice but to file suit to enforce its rights," the team said in a statement.

No new agreement was signed, a vice president for the clothing maker, Steve Battista, said in an e-mailed statement.

"Under Armour entered into a three-year agreement with the previous management of the Chicago Cubs for a comprehensive marketing package that included the exclusive signage on Wrigley Field," said Battista. "This past summer the Cubs new management sent us a letter terminating the agreement after the second year. Unfortunately, we were unable to agree upon terms for a new deal."

The case is Chicago National League Ball Club LLC v. Under Armour Inc., 09cv419, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Chicago).