Baltimore pride spoke volumes when two greats formed a partnership. The Baltimore Ravens teamed up with Under Armour in 10-year deal. Under the deal, the Ravens will rename their training facility in Owings Mills, Maryland to the “Under Armour Performance Center”. The deal also includes community-focused initiatives.

The partnership was the next logical step for Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti and Under Armour CEO and founder, Kevin Plank. The two are friends and have talked about forming a partnership for quite some time.

Both are from Maryland, Bisciotti grew up in Severna Park, Maryland and attended Salisbury University. Plank is from Kensington, Maryland and attended the University of Maryland where he played football. Plank came up with the idea of creating athletic clothes to absorb sweat and moisture and later invented Under Armour in his grandmother’s basement in Washington, DC.

Under Armour headquarters are located in Locust Point (southwest Baltimore).

While Nike may be the official game day apparel of the National Football League, Under Armour is allowed to create and test their products in the Ravens practice facility.

A previous agreement, formed in 2001, was set to expire so the agreement was enhanced and extended for 10 more years. The agreement isn’t about money; it is about friendship; making improvements and helping the city of Baltimore.

“There is nobody else I am going to do this deal with,” Bisciotti said. “I love being associated with this brand.”

The Ravens are a strong force in the community and have funded new football fields at city high schools including Mervo and Dunbar. They also have scholarship programs and host events for city youth.

Under Armour launched “WIN Baltimore” to spark positive growth and add to the educational advancement of the city youth.

Highlights of the new deal include the annual 7-on7 High School Flag Football Tournament and 25 $1,000 grants for youth football programs.

This is an awesome partnership and I can’t wait to see it grow over the next 10 years. It is great seeing two of my favorite things together. It is a win-win for everyone!

I only wear Under Armour shirts on my runs, I find them to be the BEST material and I will never switch brands. And, I’m not just a Ravens fan, I’m from Baltimore and I love seeing the Baltimore pride!

I look forward to seeing more Under Armour ads at Ravens games; I love their slogan “Protect This House. I will!”