Exclusive On-Field Glove Partnership Begins with 2021 Season; Official Product Offerings Start in 2020
Rawlings, a time-honored name in Baseball and to generations of players at all levels throughout the world, will soon enjoy a title that celebrates the true essence of the brand itself –The Official Glove of Major League Baseball.
A new licensing agreement between Major League Baseball and Rawlings makes the brand an Official Glove partner in 2020 and provides them exclusive on-field rights beginning with the 2021 MLB Championship Season.
Rawlings has long supplied the Official Baseball and the Official Batting Helmet of MLB to all 30 Clubs. However, Rawlings’ association with the game is just as closely associated with its baseball gloves and the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Since its establishment in 1957, this award has honored “The Finest in the Field” in Major League Baseball, as voted by the managers and coaches across the league.
“Rawlings and baseball have been synonymous for well over a century, and the Rawlings glove has been and continues to be at the heart of our relationship with the game,” said Mike Thompson, Rawlings Chief Marketing Officer.“The designation ‘official glove’ of Major League Baseball cements our ties with the best game and the best players in the world, while honoring the people behind the best baseball glove in the world.”
Rawlings, established in 1887, is the No. 1 baseball brand globally for gloves, protective headwear and balls. More MLB players wear Rawlings gloves than all other brands combined, while more than 60 percent of the winners of the annual Rawlings Gold Glove award also use Rawlings gloves. The 2019 Rawlings Gold Glove winners included many of today’s MLB All-Stars, such as Nolan Arenado, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor.
“Rawlings has long been a cornerstone of our game and a beloved brand that is respected by players and staff throughout Major League Baseball,” said Denis Nolan, MLB Senior Vice President, Global Consumer Products. “Welcoming Rawlings as the Official Glove of MLB adds a new dimension to how Rawlings support our league, our current players and the next generation of stars who aspire to be the among the best in the world.”
Rawlings is also the Official Baseball of Minor League Baseball, the Official Baseball and Softball of the NCAA, and the official ball and helmet of hundreds of youth leagues around the world.
About the Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels. Rawlings’ unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the Official Ball Supplier of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®. For more information, please visit www.rawlings.com.
About Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Major League Baseball is the best-attended sport in North America, and since 2004, MLB has enjoyed its best-attended seasons in the history of the game. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB currently features record levels of labor peace, competitive balance and industry revenues, as well as the most comprehensive drug-testing program in American professional sports. MLB remains committed to making an impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, perpetuating the sport’s larger role in society and permeating every facet of baseball’s business, marketing and community relationsendeavors. With the continued success of MLB Network and MLB digital platforms, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game. For more information on Major League Baseball, visit www.mlb.com
