Boston College announced on Tuesday morning that New Balance will become the new official outfitter of 30 of the Eagles’ 31 varsity athletic programs. That excludes football, which will announce a separate deal in the coming weeks.
“This partnership will be an absolute game-changer for Boston College athletics and our student-athletes,” athletic director Pat Kraft said in a statement. “This is not just a historic deal in terms of the financial value and amount of apparel for our department. The opportunities for our student-athletes to assist in product design and development of the footwear and apparel they will actually wear and compete in will be transformational.”
The 10-year, $45 million deal will officially begin on June 1. It will give Boston College athletes access to New Balance’s training facilities, including the new state-of-the-art sports complex at Boston Landing, as well as two internships per year.
New Balance replaces Under Armour, which has been the Eagles’ official outfitter for the last 12 years. The two parties signed a 10-year extension in 2015, but the apparel company has cut ties with high profile universities over the last year, most notably UCLA, due to financial difficulties.
The Bruins have since announced a deal with Nike and Jordan Brand, while Boston College now joins Denver and Maine as schools that fall under the New Balance umbrella. It’s also worth pointing out that the men’s and women’s hockey programs will be branded by Warrior Sports, a subsidiary of New Balance.
“This agreement is a great fit for Boston College,” Kraft said. “New Balance is a Brighton neighbor that shares our values. Like BC, it rose from humble beginnings and has grown into an international powerhouse that remains committed to integrity and corporate responsibility. We look forward to this successful partnership and how we can join together to further strengthen our community.”
Photo courtesy of Boston College Athletics.