Houston Texans Defensive End and Third Overall Pick of 2023 NFL Draft Joins Chase Young as the Next Klutch Athletics by New Balance Ambassador
Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA - September 18, 2023 – Klutch Athletics by New Balance, the sportswear brand founded by Rich Paul, is proud to welcome Will Anderson Jr., the Houston Texans defensive end and third overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, as the newest ambassador for the brand. Will becomes the second American Football ambassador for both New Balance and Klutch Athletics by New Balance, joining Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young as the brands continue to integrate themselves into American Football.
As the newest member of the New Balance family, Will is actively involved with the brand’s design team on the development of a new American Football cleat, due to launch in 2024. New Balance’s entry into the American Football scene is a testament to its strength in team sports and understanding of an athlete’s needs. Working with athletes such as Will, Chase and sportswear brand Klutch Athletics helps New Balance bring the best innovative gear to all athletes.
“It's truly a blessing to be working with the Klutch Athletics by New Balance team, representing the brand and helping it achieve its goal of supporting athletes,” said Will. “I’m excited to make a splash by showcasing the brand’s high-performance athletic gear and how it is second-to-none for off-the-field style and athlete representation.”
Will is already establishing himself as one of the top defensive ends in the league. Prior to his professional debut, he was a star at the University of Alabama, amassing several awards for his performance on the field, as well as his service to the community. In 41 games, Will claimed 34.5 sacks and 204 combined tackles, was a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time unanimous All-American, and was an integral part of the team’s 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.
“At New Balance, living at the intersection of sport and culture is a top priority for our brand,” said New Balance Chief Marketing Officer and SVP of Merchandising Chris Davis. “Having two of the most dominant athletes in the league is an ideal foundation to establish the Klutch Athletics by New Balance brand. Fast, dynamic and game-changing are words that immediately come to mind in describing Will's impact on the field. We are excited to implement Will into the development and testing processes of our new Football cleats launching in 2024, as well as integrating him in communal activations to promote sport to youth across the country.”
“It’s so exciting to welcome, arguably, the best defensive prospect from the 2023 NFL Draft to Klutch Athletics by New Balance,” said Klutch Athletics by New Balance Founder and CEO Rich Paul. “Will’s values, his performance off-and-on the field, and his style perfectly align with the brand. Like Chase Young, I see Will as an embodiment of what it means to be Klutch and he will put a great emphasis on uplifting and empowering all athletes, no matter their background.”
New Balance will also be hosting a community-focused event and seasonal fashion show display with DICK’s Sporting Goods at DICK’s House of Sport in Katy, Texas – hosting Will in a celebration of his signing to Klutch Athletics by New Balance on Tuesday, September 19th from 6PM to 7:30PM. He will participate alongside guests in football-related drills and conduct a formal meet-and greet to sign autographs.
The Klutch Athletics by New Balance collection is available at select retail locations across North America and online at https://www.newbalance.com/klutch-athletics/. Suggested retail prices range from $40 for t-shirts to $120 for hoodies.
About Klutch Athletics
Klutch Athletics is a new sportswear brand founded by Rich Paul and co-authored with New Balance. The brand supports and serves all athletes throughout their athletic journey including youth, collegiate and professional sports. The launch collection for Klutch Athletics delivers high-quality training apparel meant to uplift and empower all athletes, regardless of gender or sport.
Introductory pieces in the Klutch Athletics apparel line deliver on the need for men’s, women’s and youth training apparel with style and functionality. The color inspiration comes from New Balance’s iconic greys, fading from the darkest to the lightest gray in the palette, delivering a compelling color narrative. The greys are complemented by a touch of green, representing where young athletes first fell in love with the game on their field of play.
About New Balance
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, has the following purpose: Independent since 1906, we empower people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. 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 five factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs 8,000 associates around the globe, and in 2022 reported worldwide sales of $5.3 billion. To learn more about New Balance, please visit www.newbalance.com and for the latest press information please visit http://newbalance.newsmarket.com.
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