New Balance Steps Onto the Gridiron with Harrison Jr. and Innovative Cleat Designs
In a groundbreaking move for the brand, New Balance is set to debut their first-ever football cleats, introducing their innovative footwear on one of the sport’s brightest prospects, Marvin Harrison Jr. The announcement follows Harrison's lucrative deal inked with the company earlier this offseason, marking a significant leap for New Balance, traditionally renowned for their premier running shoes and athletic wear.
The Path to the Prodigy
The football cleat project, which began in 2020, is a testament to New Balance's commitment to ingenuity and excellence. The debut cleat, named the Prodigy, is a gold and white low-top designed specifically for skill players. Crafted with an attention to detail and performance, this cleat aims to marry New Balance's rich history of craftsmanship with the cutting-edge innovation essential for modern football.
“Our first conversations about stepping onto the gridiron kicked off in 2020,” the company shared on their website. “The goal—making the best-fitting, most comfortable cleat in the game—was simple. Getting there was not.”
Key to this ambitious foray into football was the collaborative effort with NFL stars Chase Young and Will Anderson Jr., who were instrumental in the wear-testing phase. Conducted in New Balance’s Sports Research Lab, their insights proved vital to refining the Prodigy cleats to meet the rigorous demands of football at the highest level.
“We focused on an intelligent approach to product creation that combined our history of best-in-class craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation,” New Balance elaborated. “The prototype designs were wear-tested in our Sports Research Lab by players at every level, including Chase Young and Will Anderson Jr. These insights proved vital throughout the process.”
Another Level of Play
For Marvin Harrison Jr., this association with New Balance is more than just a sponsorship deal; it is a step towards elevating his game. Kyler Murray, the dynamic quarterback for the Cardinals, shared his optimism about Harrison’s potential impact on the field. “I think that takes us to another level,” Murray remarked. “When you got a guy out there that is capable of winning one-on-ones, obviously he's got to go do it and he knows that. We all know it, but as far as manipulating coverage and stuff like that, you got a guy out there that can do that and even if he's not open, he's open.”
Murray’s anticipation is palpable as he looks forward to building chemistry with Harrison. “I'm excited to be able to build that with him, but when he does what he does, yeah, I fully expect our offense to be top of the league,” he added.
Expanding the Footwear Horizon
In addition to the Prodigy, New Balance has also introduced the Fortress cleats. This black and gold high-top variant is engineered for enhanced support and durability, aimed at players who need extra protection without sacrificing performance.
New Balance’s intention with these groundbreaking designs is clear: to set a new standard in football footwear. The company’s determination to revolutionize this aspect of the sport is encapsulated in their bold statement, “The game deserves better. We won't settle for anything less than setting a new standard.”
As New Balance gears up for this significant launch, the sports world watches with keen interest. The blend of innovative technology, meticulous craftsmanship, and the backing of elite athletes like Harrison Jr., Young, and Anderson, sets the stage for a potentially seismic shift in football footwear. With their eyes set on dominating more than just the track, New Balance is ready to make a memorable mark on the gridiron.
The coming season will provide the ultimate test for the Prodigy and Fortress cleats, but if early insights and the rigorous testing phase are any indications, New Balance is about to leap into a category where they can truly leave their footprint.