New Balance To Sponsor Irish Olympic Team

The Massachusetts company extends its global image with the new deal.

New Balance will outfit the Irish Olympic team at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi and also the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, it was announced in a press release.

As part of the deal, the Boston-based company will provide the Olympic athletes with competition and warm-up gear, along with “leisurewear” that can be worn at medal ceremonies, while traveling, and at public appearances.

“The look and feel of the Irish team’s competition clothing is a vital element in the Team Ireland arrangements — especially in projecting our image on the world’s greatest sporting stage,” said Pat Hickey, president of the Olympic Council of Ireland. “With this New Balance sponsorship, I believe that our athletes will be very happy with the results and that this dynamic company will provide the best quality design, fit and clothing textures needed for top Olympic performances.”

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New Balance said it was happy to strengthen its international market share.

“When the opportunity arose to sponsor the Olympic Council of Ireland we could not have been more excited. New Balance has a long history with Irish athletics and we look forward to designing product that is both modern and heritage inspired that makes athletes and fans proud,” said Tom Carleo, vice president of Running/Outdoor. “This sponsorship and the significant growth we have experienced in the European market reinforce our ambition to become one of the leading athletics brands in the world.”

In addition to its five manufacturing facilities in New England, New Balance also operates a plant in Flimby, England. In 2012, according to the press release, New Balance sold $2.39 billion worth of products across the world.