Under Armour supplies US speedskaters
US speedskating athletes will debut new apparel provided by sportswear company Under Armour at the first short-track speedskating World Cup race of the season at the Utah Olympic Oval in October.
The news is part of a new apparel sponsorship between the US speedskating federation and Under Armour. The federation is trying to transform its structure, build its fan base and secure a steadier revenue stream.
“It’s helping our sport evolve into something else, instead of just staying sort of a niche thing,” executive director Mark Greenwald said.
The Under Armour deal will provide skinsuits and all apparel to all US speedskating athletes through the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Russia, while a separate deal with the Dutch firm Sebra Sports will provide cut-proof suits to all short-track skaters and any long-track skaters who want them, to help reduce the risk of serious injury in crashes.
“It’s been a long time in the works,” said Tamara Castellano, the federation’s marketing and sponsorship director.
The federation has also revamped some of its bylaws, appointed a new president — Tom Frank replaced Brad Goskowicz, who resigned last spring — and formed the US Speedskating Foundation, an entity that will serve as a fundraising arm of the organisation.
