CANTON, Ma. – Beginning in the upcoming 2006 season, Reebok and the National Lacrosse League (NLL) have signed a multi-year exclusive partnership in which all NLL players will use Reebok equipment and will be exclusively outfitted in the brand’s footwear and apparel. The partnership makes the brand the official equipment, uniform and footwear provider of the league.
The agreement between Reebok and NLL makes Reebok the exclusive licensee of official NLL apparel including authentic and replica jerseys, caps, shirts and additional clothing. The gear will be available at retail at the NLL’s eleven member clubs in stores across the United States and Canada and also in select retail locations.
“Our partnership with the NLL represents a huge opportunity for Reebok to enter the sport of lacrosse,” said John Frascotti, Reebok’s senior vice president and general manager, performance group. “Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport with today’s youth, and our new agreement with the NLL provides Reebok with the platform to reach this target consumer by demonstrating the performance attributes of our products at the highest level of play. Our agreement with the NLL shows our deep commitment to the lacrosse player, coach and fan.”
“Reebok’s impressive credentials, commitment to creating innovative performance product, and attention to the needs of athletes make the brand the perfect partner for our league,” said NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. “The NLL looks forward to a successful partnership with a company that has established itself as a leader in all aspects of the sports industry.” For the 2006 season, Reebok will supply helmets, gloves, shoes and jerseys for all NLL teams, with more products coming in the future. As the new league sponsor, Reebok will advertise on the nationally televised “NLL All-Star Game” and the “Champion’s Cup Playoffs.” In addition, Reebok will be the title sponsor of the NLL “Scoop ‘n Shoot” competition, an event open to boys and girls ages 9-14. Held by NLL member clubs in each team’s local city, “Scoop ‘n Shoot” is a lacrosse skills event where young players compete in individual time trials. “Scoop ‘n Shoot” is operated by the NLL in partnership with US Lacrosse, the governing body of Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse throughout the United States.
The National Lacrosse League is North America’s professional indoor lacrosse league, featuring the best lacrosse players in the world. The league, entering its 20th anniversary season in 2006, has eleven teams playing in the major markets of the United States and Canada. NLL teams each play a 16-game schedule (eight home & eight away), followed by the Champion’s Cup Playoffs (April 22-May 14).
Reebok International Ltd. (NYSE: RBK), headquartered in Canton, MA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of sports, fitness and casual footwear, apparel and equipment under the Reebok, Rockport, CCM, Jofa, Koho and Greg Norman brands. Sales for 2004 totaled approximately $3.8 billion. Reebok can be accessed at www.reebok.com.
Join the Toronto Rock as they begin the quest for 6 in `06 on Saturday Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Air Canada Centre, taking on the Arizona Sting in a rematch of last year’s championship game. For tickets, please visit www.torontorock.com or www.ticketmaster.ca.
