Prince Tennis announced that James Blake, whose personal and professional comeback in 2005 gripped the tennis world, has joined Princes Touring Professional Team with a global, multi-faceted, seven-year deal. The partnership involves Blakes collaboration with Princes research and development experts to develop a racquet featuring O Technology that Blake will use on tour. This new racquet will launch in 2006 as part of Prince's best selling line of O3 Racquets.
When asked about Blake, Prince Sports' CEO, George Napier, said, “We are privileged and proud that James chose Prince to be his brand of equipment. He embodies the values our Team believes in and lives every day integrity, respect, persistence, passion, and fearlessness. These characteristics were evident as his heros journey unfolded over the past year or so.”
Blake was characteristically articulate when asked why he chose Prince from the many endorsement opportunities offered to him. “Everyone I met at Prince made me feel welcome. Relationships are important to me and this one just feels right. Also, the deal we developed is more than just a racquet endorsement. Prince is tapping my knowledge to help with product design, as well as some cool marketing initiatives focused on junior development. They are also enthusiastically supporting various charitable organizations that are important to me. And the equipment, O Technology is special and something I believe can help raise my game. The newest O3 we're going to launch later this year will be really sweet.”
Napier continued, “I've been fortunate to get to know many professional athletes over the past 25 years in the sporting goods business, and this guy is, without a doubt, a remarkable person, in addition to his way past ordinary athletic talents. James is going to be a huge part of our family and brand.”
