Little League Baseball & Softball and Adidas announced a multi-year partnership in which the Portland, OR-based company will be Official Sponsor & Supplier of uniform, footwear & coaches apparel. Adidas replaces Russell Athletic.
Beginning this season, Adidas will design and create all official on-field uniforms for all seven of the Little League World Series events throughout the U.S. Additionally, Adidas will outfit all teams with Adidas cleats, training apparel and accessories and all coaches will be supplied with athletic footwear and apparel.
Russell Athletic had been the uniform partner for the Little League for more than 30 years.
“Adidas and Little League have long and storied histories in sport, so it’s both an honor and a privilege to partner with like-minded organizations,” said Jeff McGillis, VP of Adidas U.S. Sports. “We believe that through sport, we have the power to change lives and this new partnership exemplifies our commitment to empower young athletes, provide equal access to sport, and help inspire boys and girls to play the sports they love.”
“We are excited to welcome Adidas to the Little League family and are looking forward to the great opportunities we can both create for our young baseball and softball players through this partnership,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “More than just the official uniform and footwear to the Little League World Series , Adidas will help us to inspire Little Leaguers around the world to achieve their dreams, both on and off the field each year.”
“Each of the seven Little League World Series tournaments represent the pinnacle events for young creators,” said Aaron Seabron, senior director Adidas Baseball. “Our mission is to help athletes perform better and we’re proud to provide these athletes with innovative, high-performance uniforms and footwear for what could be one of the most impactful and meaningful sports moments of their lives.”
To kick off the first season of the partnership, Adidas will create brand and marketing activations at both the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, PA and the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, OR. In addition to the LLBWS and LLSWS, Adidas will design and create all official on-field uniforms for all World Series events, including Intermediate (50/70) Baseball, Junior League Baseball, Senior League Baseball, Junior League Softball and Senior League Softball.
Adidas alumni who started their career in Little League include MLB athletes Aaron Judge (NY Yankees), Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs), Alex Bregman (Houston Astros), Carlos Correa (Houston Astros), Edwin Diaz (NY Mets), Edwin Encarnacion (Seattle Mariners), Jake Arrieta (Philadelphia Phillies), Joe Jimenez (Detroit Tigers), Mike Moustakas (KC Royals), Trea Turner (Washington Nationals), Xander Bogaerts ( Boston Red Sox); NBA athletes Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz), Tracy McGrady (7x NBA All-Star); NFL athletes Patrick Mahomes (KC Chiefs), Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) and Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos).
Founded in 1939, Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with millions of players and more than one million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and more than 80 other countries.
Image courtesy Adidas
