Sponsor gets on board the Hayne Plane in NFL

AMERICAN sports-wear giant Under Armour struck the jackpot when it took a punt on young golfer Jordan Spieth in January, signing him to a 10-year deal.

San Francisco 49ers' Jarryd Hayne jokes with reporters after the 49ers faced the Denver Broncos in an NFL football scrimmage at the Broncos' headquarters Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015, in Englewood, Colo. . Picture: AP Photo/ - David Zalubowski

AMERICAN sports-wear giant Under Armour struck the jackpot when it took a punt on young golfer Jordan Spieth in January, signing him to a 10-year deal.

Then just 21, Spieth went on to put his name alongside some of the game's greats by winning the Masters and US Open, before just missing out in the British Open and PGA Championship.

Now the company, which also owns Reebok and last year overtook adidas as the No.2 sportswear brand behind Nike in the US, has signed former NRL star Jarryd Hayne (pictured) to his first major sponsorship deal.

The dual Dally M medallist is expected to make his debut for the San Francisco 49ers in today's match against Minnesota Vikings.

Apart from Spieth, Under Armour's other big names include NBA superstar Steph Curry, tennis ace Andy Murray, NFL superstar Tom Brady and Aussie basketballer Patty Mills.

Originally published as Sponsor gets on board the Hayne Plane in NFL