Rich Paul’s Klutch Athletics by New Balance sportswear is today launching 100 U.S. retail locations across Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, JD Sports, DTLR, and Snipes stores.
Klutch Athletics is a Black-owned “athlete-first” apparel brand that “celebrates the intersection of sport, culture, and community.” Paul, the founder of Klutch Sports Agency and agent of LeBron James, announced Klutch Athletics in February with a suggested retail price of $40 for t-shirts to $120 for hoodies.
Chase Young, the Washington Commanders defensive end 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, joined Klutch Athletics in April as the company’s first brand ambassador. Paul’s alignment with New Balance comes amid the brand’s resurgence in recent years and sponsorships with star athletes such as MLB’s Shohei Ohtani and the NBA’s Kawhi Leonard.
Paul’s Klutch Sports has been a key cog in the consolidation of major sports agencies in recent years. Klutch moved to expand beyond its basketball roots with its April acquisition of Elite Talent Management, an agency that reps 40 NFL players including Odell Beckham Jr., Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Isaiah Hodgins.
In 2020, United Talent Agency made a strategic investment in Klutch Sports Group and Paul joined UTA’s board of directors. Klutch’s NBA player clients include Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Trae Young, De’Aaron Fox, Lonzo Ball, and Zach LaVine, but Paul’s agency recently lost Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to WME Sports.
Klutch Sports agent Nicole Lynn negotiated a $255 million contract signed by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts earlier this NFL offseason.
