Rawlings Sporting Goods will end production of its football helmets and shoulder pads this year, according to a report by the St. Louis Dispatch.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the decision to leave the category was unrelated to its patent infringement lawsuit with Riddell. Rawlings resumed production of football helmets in 2010.
“We have made a business decision to refocus ourselves on our core product lines, which are diamond sports: baseball, fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball,” said Mike Thompson, Rawlings’ executive vice president of marketing. “When you have limited resources to spend, you have to look at a longer runway.”
The brand particularly sees opportunities expanding its bat business. Thompson did note that the timing of the launch came as youth football participation has been seeing declines. Rawlings will continue to make other football gear such as apparel and footballs.
The move comes as Rawlings hired Michael Zlaket as its new CEO in January.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch story is here.
