Prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning their postseason run in 2019, Clayton Kershaw and Skechers announced a multi-year partnership that called for the three-time Cy Young Award winner to appear in global marketing campaigns for the brand’s men’s performance and athletic lifestyle footwear.
Kershaw also collaborated with Skechers on an array of styles and debuted a custom exclusive baseball cleat that he now wears for all of his starts.
The left-hander previously wore Under Armour cleats and explained during an appearance on the “On Base with Mookie Betts” podcast why he made the switch to Skechers:
“I was Under Armour my whole career, and they just stopped making my cleat. So I had enough for a few years after and I kept trying new cleats of theirs in the interim. I was like, ‘Man, these don’t feel right. They don’t feel right.’ So I went a full year without any shoes. The guy who helps me out in L.A., his name is Bill, he reached out to Skechers and they said, ‘We can make a cleat for him.’ And sure enough they did, and it felt amazing.”
At present time, Skechers only makes cleats for Kershaw. However, the 35-year-old believes the company would be successful if it attempted a wide release and added that several players have approached him about wanting to try the cleats:
“I think the spikes look great. Have you seen them this year? They look great. They look so good. … They really have been great and I think the design each year has gotten better. Hey, maybe not a Jordan guy, but a lot of guys out there have been telling me they want to try them. And there’s been a couple guys. Wade Miley is wearing Skechers, so we’ve got some guys. If they want to break into baseball, I think Skechers could for sure. If they want to do it, I’m in.”
Skechers is based in Manhattan Beach, California, which was an added benefit and natural connection for Kershaw when he agreed to his new endorsement deal.
“I’ve spent my entire career here in Los Angeles, so it feels perfect that I’m partnering with Skechers—a Los Angeles original since 1992,” he said at the time.
“I’ve been working with the design team on several styles, and I am extremely impressed with the performance and comfort offered by Skechers. We have some unexpected and exciting ideas that fans will love.”
Along with providing a custom cleat and series of training shoes, Skechers agreed to sponsor Kershaw’s Challenge annual PingPong4Purpose charity event held at Dodger Stadium each summer.
Clayton Kershaw among athletes on Skechers roster
In addition to Kershaw, Skechers’ extended roster of sports icons includes former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, Pete Rose, Mariano Rivera, Ozzie Smith and David Ortiz, among other athletes.
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