Why is New Balance signing children to NILs

What’s wrong with providing some incentive? A lot of kids these days would rather pursue a lucrative career in eSports, instead.

Please, they get bragging rights for a pair of shoes and a singlet.

These deals are pennies and some gear to lock these kids into running their national meets

Just copying Nike by signing Cameron Myers with a NIL deal

What does it matter to NB to part ways with a couple items of clothing and an hour photo shoot?

these aren’t real contracts. It’s make believe…

just nb trying to out do Nike in the race to fill their fields for indoor and outdoor

I saw a group of juniors signed with them. I'd love to know the extent of the contracts. Really know, not some letsrun poster who's jealous tha the didn't get any recognition in high school or college or after ...

What does it matter if they are receiving $100 or $10,000? I don't really care. I don't know why you do.

I have first hand knowledge about an NIL deal with one of the fastest kids in the country. I directly asked his coach what his NIL deal was.

To me it doesn't seem like it is anymore than some travel to their national meets and some gear. To my knowledge there is not any money being exchanged.

It builds brand awareness for NB in a market where they are underrepresented - high school sports. In exchange for a few pairs of shoes, some plane tickets, and a hotel room, these kids will race at NB Nationals events in NB gear. Fans and peers perusing Milesplit, RunnerSpace, and that athlete's social media will see their hero wearing the big N on their shoes and want to purchase some. The signed athletes get a little taste of what being a pro is like. Nike, Adidas, On Running all do the same things at the high school and collegiate level.

NIL is in its wild west period right now. The sponsors are trying to figure out best practices going forward but are just throwing money around at the moment. Most of it doesn't make sense right now but no brand wants to be left out and playing catch-up. Personally, I'd rather see talented kids getting these funds/gear than a bunch of interchangeable adult running influencers of dubious ability and value.

I thought the same thing a few weeks ago. It seems a little weird, right?

But from a numbers perspective, it makes a lot of sense. I think they realize it's way cheaper to pay some HS kid almost nothing than it is to sign one legit pro. You can get more exposure by signing all of those HS kids for less than a single pro and HSers often times only pay attention to HSers.

Plus you force them to run your 'national' meet and not Nikes.

The market for things like spikes pretty much has to be just high schoolers. There is probably more value in having the 10 fastest kids in the state in your spikes than pretty much anyone who isn’t winning ncaa or making an Olympic team. Heck I bet in HS more of us bought the same spike as our 4:08 miler (back when that was fast) than had any clue what some elite was wearing. And if you buy someone’s spikes, maybe brand loyalty gets you some trainers and clothes..

I know it is borderline illegal, but an offer to give anyone who wins a state meet in your spikes gets a free pair would be a no brainer for most states.

Poster made personal attack above.

NB didn't "sign" anyone. They literally told a bunch of very good underclassmen they'd give them a bunch of NB gear and do some photo shoot stuff as a NIL "deal". They're not paying the kids anything.

Ever heard of child models? NIL-kids are discount child models. Nothin' new, nothin' werid.

What's wrong with kids making a little pocket money?

Based on title, I thought you were going to say MS kids? HS seems pretty open season. How about NB has NB nationals at their new track? That would seem to be low hanging fruit to advertise. 1 day of 4 at the new track for indoor nationals.

NB sends new shoes to MS kids I know of. So HS seems appropriate if you are good enough.

It seems like a solid tactical move to me. For years, there's been back and forth about which national championship meet to go to. These orgs are already shelling out money for singlets, spikes, etc. Why not do that before the meet instead of at the meet and guarantee a lot of the best kids are going to be there?

Ensuring a bunch of the top kids are going to come to your indoor championships is going to be good for exposure and also risk mitigation. It's a no-brainer to me.

Trying to get back at Nike for losing the Armory sponsorship to them?

New Balance "Nationals" is at 2 different venues. Reggie Lewis and their own facility because they double booked with NCAA. No emerging elites means less kids their seeing the sponsored kids. As long as they charge $200 for a backpack with branding they are getting good marketing, not sure NIL deals for kids that most won't see really matters.

I'm further convinced that 50-60% of kids that run in spikes shouldn't. They are too slow, bad form, etc that would benefit in just a good trainer until they improve. Too many coaches pushing "you need spikes" to run fast.

Done complaining/ranting...