Reversing Field: Auburn Football Switches To New Balance

Balance Of Power: Auburn Switches Shoe Supplier

The Auburn Univ. football team has changed its shoe supplier from Nike to New Balance, becoming “the only team in the country wearing New Balance football cleats,” according to Charles Goldberg of the BIRMINGHAM NEWS. New Balance “sold [Auburn coach Tommy] Tuberville on what it says is a new idea to fit each player individually, and that it could provide a new, wider shoe for today’s bigger athletes.” Tuberville “was also intrigued by the idea of being just a little bit different.” New Balance Associate Product Manager Kent Richard said, “Having Auburn wear them is going to launch the whole program for us.” Goldberg reported New Balance is not giving the school a “traditional shoe contract and Auburn gets no endorsement money, but New Balance provides a virtually endless supply of shoes.” Nike provided a limited number of free shoes and “nominal endorsement money because Auburn’s primary apparel contract is with Russell Athletics.” Richard: “Almost every other Division I program gets paid quite a bit to wear their shoes. Coach Tuberville just wanted shoes that fit the best” (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 7/22).