Wilson Sporting Goods Acquires EvoShield

CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a subsidiary of Amer Sports Corporation, announced today that it has acquired the EvoShield brand from EvoShield, LLC. EvoShield is the leading brand of protective gear for baseball and softball athletes and teams in the U.S., and the Official Protective Gear of Major League Baseball^® (MLB). This selective asset acquisition includes the EvoShield brand, all EvoShield-branded products, intellectual property and distribution rights. Specific financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"The addition of the EvoShield brand to our growing baseball and softball business is exciting and represents how we are accelerating our presence at every level of the game," said Mike Dowse, President of Wilson Sporting Goods. "EvoShield is the most prominent and relevant protective brand in baseball and softball today, and this marriage is another step in ensuring we deliver only the best performance products to athletes of every age."

"EvoShield fits so well within the DNA of Wilson Baseball and Softball, and bolsters our offerings in protective gear in a very meaningful way, said Jim Hackett, General Manager of Wilson Baseball and Softball. "We are continually looking at ways we can better serve our players, coaches and teams, and EvoShield will be a key way we do that moving forward. In turn, we believe that our global resources, infrastructure, research and development programs and network can catapult EvoShield on many fronts and grow this brand in ways not possible before."

Wilson currently manufactures and sells high performance gloves, bats, uniforms, apparel, protective gear, accessories, and player development equipment and training tools through its Wilson Ball Glove, Louisville Slugger^®, DeMarini and ATEC brands. The Company will market and sell EvoShield-branded products through its baseball and softball business unit. Wilson will market and sell EvoShield as a stand-alone brand, similar to how it is sold today.

ABOUT EVOSHIELD:

Now protecting more than 150 professional and collegiate programs, EvoShield is the brand that elite athletes look to for ultimate protection and comfort. EvoShield's revolutionary technology has created a new standard in protective gear. Bulky and restrictive foam or plastic padding is a thing of the past. EvoShield is different; the combination of slim, form-fitting, breathable shields enables freer athletic movement while maintaining stronger safety – the ultimate athletic protective gear. For further information on the EvoShield product line and a more in-depth description of the protection offered, please visit http://www.evoshield.com/.

ABOUT WILSON SPORTING GOODS, CO:

Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a subsidiary of Amer Sports, is one of the world's leading manufacturer of sports equipment, apparel and accessories. As the Official Ball Glove of Major League Baseball^® for over 20 years, Wilson develops high performance products for baseball and softball athletes and uses player insights to develop products that push equipment innovation into new territories. Wilson currently makes and sells high performance gloves, bats, uniforms, apparel, protective gear, accessories, player development equipment and tools through its Wilson, Louisville Slugger, DeMarini, EvoShield and ATEC brands. Through the Company's dedication to creating products that enable athletes at every level to perform at their best, Wilson has earned its place as a leader in sporting goods for over a century.

SOURCE Wilson Sporting Goods Co.

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