Fila has entered into a collaboration arrangement with ATP World Tour star James Blake to develop a collection of men's apparel and footwear. Blake will collaborate with Fila's design team to create the yet-to-be-named collection that will target “today's active male.” The line will serve as the basis for the development of a long-term licensing business for Blake.


Blake will wear Fila branded or co-branded tennis apparel and footwear exclusively on court and he will be featured in Fila's worldwide marketing efforts. He is the first top ten American male in over ten years to sign with Fila. Blake will debut in Fila's Collezione Apparel Collection and the Fila Alfa shoe at the Australian Open in Melbourne.


The collection will include tennis, golf, fitness and lifestyle apparel, performance and lifestyle footwear and accessories for men. Fila and James Blake will also explore other product categories as opportunities arise in the market. The collection will debut with a limited collection of tennis and fitness apparel that will be unveiled just before the 2009 US Open in New York. The collection will officially launch for the Spring Summer 2010 season.


“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with an athlete of James Blake's caliber,” said Gene Yoon, Chairman of Fila. “Fila has been associated with champions in tennis and other sports for over 35 years. We are certain that through our collaboration with James, we will create a range of products that combines the rich style of our historic brand and James' active and sophisticated lifestyle.”

“I have always had an affinity for the Fila brand,” said Blake. “Ever since Borg graced the courts of Wimbledon in Fila, I have always been attracted to the Italian style, grace and sophistication of the Fila brand. My collaboration with Fila is much more than an endorsement arrangement. It will serve as the foundation of a business venture that I that will continue to build for years to come.”


Fila has endorsement agreements with several ATP Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour athletes, is a major sponsor of the Sony Ericsson Open, Tennis Tournament at Indian Wells, and the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships and is the footwear licensee with The Championships at Wimbledon.