Louisville Slugger has signed a multiyear performance apparel licensing agreement with Xone Sport, LLC (pronounced Zone). The agreement was announced today by IMG Licensing, the exclusive licensing agency for Hillerich & Bradsby Co., parent company of the Louisville Slugger brand.
Xone Sport is led by President & CEO Rob Cleveland. Cleveland, a veteran executive in the sports apparel business, previously served as president of Talent Sport, Inc., a Louisville Slugger licensee since 2010. Xone Sport will produce licensed Louisville Slugger products for the youth and adult baseball and softball markets, as well as women's fastpitch.
“There's no better diamond brand than Louisville Slugger,” said Cleveland. “Louisville Slugger is the Official Bat of Major League Baseball and the number one bat in MLB. I'm excited about the dynamic collection of talented individuals we've brought to Xone Sport, and we have big plans for the Louisville Slugger brand in the sports apparel market. We look forward to many years of growing our business together by providing outstanding products and service.”
The company has a license to use Louisville Slugger, TPX and TPS marks on a wide variety of performance apparel and accessories, including performance compression shirts, baseball and softball pants, sliding shorts, batting cage jackets and dugout pullovers.
“We are very pleased to be able to move forward with Rob Cleveland and Xone Sport,” said H & B Licensing Director Packy Page. “Rob and his team have a track record of success and a real passion for the Louisville Slugger brand. XONE plans to aggressively market and sell the product line, and we will support their efforts in ways that resonate with our customers. We are confident that we have selected the right partner in Xone Sport.”
