The Hundred & New Balance team up ahead of new tournament launch

October 1, 2019 James Bayliss

New Balance had been in the news over their complicated deal with Liverpool Football Club which saw the kit manufacturers fighting to keep their top client who were on the brink of sealing a deal with kit giants, Nike.

Boston-based kit manufacturers, who’s logo is a simple NB, were said to have matched Nike’s offer to the European champions, which would see a clause activated that grants New Balance more time as the Reds’ clothing providers.

The deal is set to go to the High Court, but away from football, New Balance have some better news to enjoy.

Cricket’s brand new tournament, The Hundred, a tournament debuting in 2020 in an attempt to deliver a new, is a shortened format of the sport designed to bring in new supporters to the sport with a secondary aim of providing more cricket for fans who already love the game.

The Hundred’s own website have revealed that the new kits of all eight teams will be manufactured by New Balance, who were also the providers of England’s kits this summer for the World Cup and the Ashes.

The kits are supposed to be reflective of the vibrant colours and identities of the new teams, which are city based, unlike in other formats of cricket where they play at international or country level.

Rob Calder, Commercial Director of The Hundred, said: “New Balance has been a long-standing partner and we are delighted to extend our relationship with them to include The Hundred. Following the amazing success of the 2019 England men’s World Cup shirt, we know New Balance produce kits that fans love and world-class players are proud to wear. We can’t wait to see the venues full of fans supporting the new teams next summer.”

Liam Burns, Head of Cricket for New Balance, added, “We’re thrilled to be involved in this exciting new competition. It is great to produce designs that are a true representation of each team – the result is eight brand new kits unlike anything seen before in cricket in England and Wales.”

New Balance will surely be delighted to be the leading and only manufacturer at Hundred-level considering the competition that exists in this market, and it could do them a lot of good, especially considering the problems with their current Liverpool deal.