Riddell, Inc. announced that the company has signed an agreement with Shamrock Lacrosse to license Shamrock the Riddell trademark for use on a new line of lacrosse equipment. The two companies also announced that they have finalized the design for a new lacrosse helmet that incorporates many unique and innovative features, each intended to increase the helmet’s protective capabilities. The helmet will be available this Spring.
Working with Shamrock, Riddell has incorporated several features first used in its Revolution(TM) football helmet. The new lacrosse helmet design incorporates increased protection along the chin line and side of the face, an area of the head believed to be the most susceptible to hits that are thought to contribute to concussions. The extended shell and new padding design provides critical energy deflection and absorption to minimize the potential for concussion. Extending the shell along the lower face enabled the designers to provide greater peripheral vision, something many lacrosse players indicated was important to them. Players who have seen and worn the new helmet have reacted enthusiastically to the design. In addition, the helmet features an innovative new liner system that lets the player, parent or coach fit the helmet to the player’s head more effectively.
The licensing agreement assigns exclusive rights to Shamrock Lacrosse to use the Riddell trademark on lacrosse equipment. Mark Ford, CEO of Shamrock Lacrosse said, “We are very excited to have secured this deal with Riddell. Riddell’s reputation for superior protective equipment and the strength of its brand name have translated very easily into lacrosse. Many of the players, coaches and retailers have already responded favorably and are glad to see a major national sports brand on equipment in the game of lacrosse.”
“Working with Shamrock Lacrosse as a partner in developing a new lacrosse helmet and in this licensing agreement has been very exciting” said Don Shea, vice president at Riddell. “Over the past several years, Riddell has invested significant resources in furthering the understanding of the causes of concussions and with the advances we have made in head protection for football, we saw an opportunity to introduce similar innovations to the sport of lacrosse. Shamrock and their player contacts have been instrumental in the design of the helmet, ensuring that it was designed with lacrosse players needs in mind.”
The agreement calls for Riddell to manufacture the new helmets in its Chicago facility. Shamrock Lacrosse will design and manufacture the new line of Riddell Lacrosse products.
