Boston College described the partnership as its “largest financial footwear and apparel agreement” in Boston College (BC) athletics history. New Balance secures the right to provide uniforms, apparel and footwear for 30 BC’s 31 varsity sports. The partnership will also include the opportunity for Boston College student-athletes to be part of an annual internship program at New Balance.
“This partnership will be an absolute game-changer for Boston College Athletics and our student-athletes,” said William V. Campbell, Director of Athletics, Pat Kraft. “This is not just a historic deal in terms of the financial value and amount of apparel for our department. The opportunities for our student-athletes to assist in product design and development of the footwear and apparel they will wear and compete in will be transformational.”
Boston College will become the largest school sponsored by New Balance, headquartered in Boston. The brand has been a sponsor of the University of Maine for years. In March 2021, New Balance entered into a sponsorship agreement with The University of Denver in a partnership with BSN Sports.
The partnership follows on New Balance’s return to the basketball sneaker category market that began in 2018/19 with the signing of NBA star Kawhi Leonard and the launch of his OMN1S shoe. The brand has also signed Darius Bazleyof the Oklahoma Thunder, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets and Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs. Boston College said New Balance’s commitment to innovation and investment in its men’s and women’s basketball programs was a “key element” to the partnership.
“This progressive collaboration joins two world-class Boston-based teams with strong synergies at our core and enables a broad spectrum of initiatives that will drive innovation, performance and creativity,” said Ray Hilvert, vice president of global team sports, New Balance. “Boston College Athletics is known for its historic commitment to excellence,and we look forward to working with Pat Kraft, [University President] Father Leahy and the entire Boston College team to build a strong and dynamic relationship that benefits student-athletes and our shared communities.”
“This progressive collaboration joins two world-class Boston-based teams with strong synergies at our core and enables a broad spectrum of initiatives that will drive innovation, performance and creativity,” said Ray Hilvert, vice president of global team sports, New Balance. “Boston College Athletics is known for its historic commitment to excellence, and we look forward to working with Pat Kraft, Father Leahy and the entire Boston College team to build a strong and dynamic relationship that benefits student-athletes and our shared communities.”
The partnership will grant several BC teams access to the new TRACK@New Balance that is currently under construction. The sports complex at Boston Landing will feature a 200-meter hydraulically banked track, seating for more than 5,000 spectators and facilities for training, events and recovery.
Officially licensed Boston College apparel will be available online this summer on BCEagles.com and NewBalance.com, in addition to both New Balance Boston retail locations and the Boston College Bookstore.
Boston College cited its longstanding appreciation for New Balance’s history and corporate mission as factors in its decision to seek the agreement.
“This agreement is a great fit for Boston College,” said Kraft. “New Balance is a Brighton neighbor that shares our values. Like BC, it rose from humble beginnings and has grown into an international powerhouse that remains committed to integrity and corporate responsibility. We look forward to this successful partnership and how we can join together to strengthen our community further.”
Photo courtesy Boston College
