BOSTON, FEBRUARY 24, 2017 – Global athletic leader New Balance announced today the signing of Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor to a multi-year endorsement contract. New Balance will be Lindor’s official on-field footwear and off-field apparel provider, and Lindor will become the global face of New Balance Baseball as the brand continues its rapid global expansion.
In 2016, his second year in the big leagues, Lindor’s incredible on-field performance earned him a spot on the AL All-Star team and helped Cleveland reach Game 7 of the World Series. His seven multi-hit games during the postseason broke the record for most ever for a player under 23 years old. At the close of the 2016 season, Lindor was presented with both the Gold Glove and the Platinum Glove awards, and was also named by Sports Illustrated as the “Rising Star of the Year”. Most meaningfully to Lindor, during the 2016 season he became an MLB Ambassador for the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and Play Ball programs. This enabled him to reach out to youth across the country and introduce them to the game loves.
“With the new and innovative on and off-field gear New Balance is designing, I am very excited to become a huge part of the brand,” said Lindor. “The opportunity to be a global ambassador for such a great company is amazing and humbling, and it’s been great learning about our shared commitment to community and charity. I’m honored to have such a prominent role in continuing the great momentum behind the NB brand.”
A native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Francisco Lindor moved to the United States at the age of 12. After graduating from Montverde Academy in 2011, he was drafted in the first round by Cleveland. After a few years in the minor leagues, in 2015 Lindor was called up to the big leagues and quickly made an impact, leading all rookies in batting average (.313) and all AL Shortstops in Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating.
“Francisco Lindor represents the heart of the New Balance Baseball brand: a young, exciting player with incredible talent who displays joy and passion for the game as well as a genuine desire to give back to the community that supports him,” said Ray Hilvert, Vice President of Sports Marketing for New Balance. “We’re thrilled to embark on this new relationship and look forward to elevating Francisco’s star power around the world as a global ambassador for New Balance and NB Baseball.”
