- oston College Athletics has entered a historic, 10-year agreement with Boston-based New Balance Athletics to become the Official Footwear and Apparel Provider for the Eagles.
- As New Balance looks to continue its growth with New Balance Basketball, a key element in this partnership focuses on the innovation and investment in the men’s and women’s basketball programs.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jason Baum | j.baum@bc.edu | 201-966-6338 April 13, 2021
BCEagles.com: http://bit.ly/ForBostonFromBoston
Boston College Athletics Announces 10-Year Agreement with New Balance
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College Athletics has entered a historic, 10-year agreement with Boston-based New Balance Athletics to become the Official Footwear and Apparel Provider for the Eagles. The deal will begin on June 1, 2021.
The largest financial footwear and apparel agreement in Boston College athletics history gives New Balance the right to provide uniforms, apparel, and footwear for 30 of BC’s 31 varsity sports. The partnership will also include the opportunity for Boston College student-athletes to be part of an annual internship program at New Balance.
“This partnership will be an absolute game-changer for Boston College athletics and our student-athletes,” said William V. Campbell Director of Athletics Pat Kraft. “This is not just a historic deal in terms of the financial value and amount of apparel for our department. The opportunities for our student-athletes to assist in product design and development of the footwear and apparel they will actually wear and compete in will be transformational.”
As New Balance looks to continue its growth with New Balance Basketball, a key element in this partnership focuses on the innovation and investment in the men’s and women’s basketball programs. New Balance will work closely with both programs to aid in design and product enhancements and is dedicated to their success both on and off the court.
“This progressive collaboration joins two world-class Boston-based teams with strong synergies at our core and enables a broad spectrum of initiatives that will drive innovation, performance and creativity,” says Ray Hilvert, Vice President of Global Team Sports at New Balance. “Boston College Athletics is known for its historic commitment to excellence and we look forward to working with Pat Kraft, Father Leahy and the entire Boston College team to build a strong and dynamic relationship that benefits student-athletes and our shared communities.”
The partnership will grant several BC teams access to the new state-of-the-art TRACK@New Balance that is currently under construction. The new sports complex at Boston Landing will feature a 200-meter hydraulically banked track, seating for more than 5,000 spectators, and facilities for training, events, and recovery.
Officially licensed Boston College apparel will be available online this summer on BCEagles.com and New Balance.com in addition to both New Balance Boston retail locations and the Boston College Bookstore.
Boston College cited its longstanding appreciation for New Balance’s history and corporate mission as factors in its decision to seek the agreement. Since 1972, when the company was purchased by Jim Davis, New Balance has grown from six employees manufacturing 30 pairs of shoes per day in a single location to a global brand with more than 7,000 associates worldwide and global annual sales of $3.3 billion in 2020.
Headquartered in Boston, New Balance owns and operates four factories in New England and one in the United Kingdom, and New Balance Foundation– established by Jim and Anne Davis in 1981–has donated more than $110 million in total grants to non-profit organizations to develop high-impact, long-term, sustainable initiatives that enrich the lives of children, their families and their communities.
“This agreement is a great fit for Boston College,” said Kraft. “New Balance is a Brighton neighbor that shares our values. Like BC, it rose from humble beginnings and has grown into an international powerhouse that remains committed to integrity and corporate responsibility. We look forward to this successful partnership and how we can join together to further strengthen our community.”
The Davises, both of whom hold honorary degrees from Boston College, are the parents of Kassia Davis, a 2010 BC graduate who is a member of the University’s Board of Regents.
New Balance Foundation was one of the first philanthropic supporters of City Connects, an evidence-based Boston College program that delivers whole-child student supports and addresses the non-academic barriers to learning in under resourced K-12 schools. New Balance Foundation has donated $6.2mm to City Connects.
About New Balance
New Balance Athletics, headquartered in Boston, Mass. has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. Manufactured in the U.S. for more than 75 years and representing a limited portion of our U.S. sales, New Balance MADE U.S. is a premium collection that contains a domestic value of 70% or greater. New Balance owns and operates four factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs more than 7,000 associates around the globe and in 2020 reported worldwide sales of $3.3 billion. To learn more about New Balance, please visit www.newbalance.com.
What They Are Saying About New Balance
Men’s Basketball Coach Earl Grant: “Partnering with New Balance presents a great opportunity for our program and our entire department to think globally with an innovative local company that will be truly invested in our success.
I am excited because we won't just be part of this deal - we will be partners. Our players will work with New Balance during the process of developing and designing our uniforms, shoes, and apparel. This deal gives us tremendous freedom to customize all of our apparel and experience the next-level quality and innovation that they have to offer.
With the investments they are making in Boston College, our athletics department, and our basketball programs, we are proud to be aligned with New Balance.”
Women’s Basketball Coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee: “We are excited for this new journey with New Balance. Our players will enjoy representing the style and swag of their new basketball line. Their casual wear is spectacular and I know our players will love the high quality and comfort of their basketball and running shoes.
The best part of this new partnership will be our players having a part of the innovation, development, and design of the apparel they will wear for both practice and competition. We can’t wait to show our players and recruits everything New Balance is able to provide us with, especially since New Balance’s headquarters is just over two miles away in Boston.”
Men’s Ice Hockey Coach Jerry York: “This is a unique opportunity for us to align with a Boston brand that understands our teams and our city. Jim Davis has been a longtime fixture in the Boston business community, and we look forward to a lengthy partnership with New Balance.”
Women’s Ice Hockey Coach Katie Crowley: “We are excited to be joining the New Balance family. Hockey is important to New Balance and Warrior, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to work with not only an innovative company but also a hometown brand that can help us continue to compete at the highest level on and off the ice."
Lacrosse Coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein: “I’m extremely excited for our move to New Balance next year. I think they’re going to really help take our program to the next level and have really begun to make a name for themselves in the lacrosse world. New Balance is a company that epitomizes the Boston mentality and we’re excited to join the New Balance family.”